Update: ‘A Nissan Maxima EV sounds about right!’ section updated.
A new Nissan electric sedan, possibly a Nissan Maxima EV successor, was teased during the company’s ‘Ambition 2030’ presentation on November 29, 2021. The video highlighted Nissan’s EV strategy and witnessed the debut of three concepts: the Hangout, Surfout, and Chillout, which are also expected to materialize into production vehicles by the end of this decade.
At the 22:00 mark of the corporate presentation, Nissan’s COO Ashwani Gupta explained the new company design language drawing inspiration from the Japanese word ‘shun,’ meaning to run fast and effortlessly, and ‘sho,’ meaning to soar with grace and power. The part of the video was edited out subsequently, which showed the teaser (set as the display image of the story) while first airing.
Source: Youtube/Nissan
A few months later, the COO flew to the U.S. and made significant announcements, which included the first look at the potential Nissan Maxima EV successor, during a press conference in Canton, Mississippi, on February 17, 2022.
We embark on a new journey in the United States, starting with our plan to bring two all-new, all-electric models to our Canton Mississippi facility in 2025. These models, one Nissan and one Infiniti, represent a USD 500 million investment to transform and modernize the facility with the latest EV manufacturing technology and automation.
Ashwani Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Nissan Motor Corporation during the Canton webcast
A Nissan Maxima EV sounds about right!
While Nissan has used the term “all-new, all electric,” the next-gen sedan could be the successor to the gas-powered Maxima. Another possibility is that the electric model could be a common replacement for both gas-powered Maxima and gas-powered Altima, which, as Nissan points out in its blog, have similar dimensions.
If sales of the Nissan Maxima continue at their current rate, 2022 could be a worse year for the sedan than 2021 (16,386 units). In the first half of 2022, the company sold just 3,753 Maximas in the U.S. The smaller and cheaper Altima is faring better, with 103,777 units sold in 2021 and 78,610 units sold in the first half of 2022.
On August 3, 2022, Nissan confirmed that it will end the production of the gas-powered Maxima in mid-2023. In a statement issued to Motor1.com, which the publication reported on August 4, 2022, the company also hinted that it may replace the gas-powered Maxima with a Maxima electric instead of killing the nameplate:
Please stay tuned for future Nissan Maxima news as we empower journeys through exciting vehicles and tech innovation.
Nissan to Motor1.com on August 4, 2022, on the future of the Maxima
In August 2020, Automotive News had reported that an EV would replace the Maxima. Even though the gas-powered Maxima has not earned much in sales, its association with performance and luxury makes it a better pick for the branding of the zero-emission model. Of course, Nissan could use a different branding strategy, possibly even brand-new. As the market increasingly favors crossovers, the company will likely only need one model in this segment in the electric era.
Design
From the B-pillar, the concept version of the potential Nissan Maxima EV successor takes the shape of a fastback, akin to the Tesla Model S, and this could be indicative of a hatchback opening to maximize boot volume. While shopping for hardware or appliances at Costco, the Nissan Maxima EV successor should prove more practical than the gas model!
One new model will combine the latest technology with the unique proportions to deliver a thrilling new take on the EVs at Nissan, while the new Infiniti presents a sleek, electrified interpretation of the brand’s human-centred approach to modern Japanese luxury.
Ashwani Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Nissan Motor Corporation during the Nissan webcast on February 17, 2022
Platform & Battery
Since the Nissan EV sedan that we expect to be a Nissan Maxima EV successor is planned for the first half of the decade, it would use the CMF-EV platform made by the alliance and seen supporting the Ariya and the Megane E-Tech. The battery technology would be lithium-ion, as the solid-state batteries aren’t due until 2028. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to expect the sedan with an 87 kWh battery, as seen on the Ariya, to challenge the VW Aero B sedan and the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Price & Release Date
Nissan has confirmed that it will introduce its electric sedan, which could be a Nissan Maxima EV successor, in 2025. While further details are awaited, it could be priced starting between USD 35,000-45,000, taking on the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the VW Aero B. In China, the Nissan Maxima EV successor could rival the Toyota bZ3 and BYD Seal as well.
Nissan’s EV strategy
Nissan has said it will invest USD 17.6 billion over the next five years and aim for a 50 percent electrification mix by 2030 (Nissan and Infiniti combined, global sales). It plans to launch 23 new electrified models, including 15 new EVs globally and is also working on its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), which should see mass production by 2028. Total carbon neutrality is expected by 2050.
Nissan North Americas’ Chairperson Jeremie Papin mentioned at the corporate presentation how Nissan is able to deliver on its EV promises.
Early indications show that the Canton team is delivering great quality and satisfaction for our customers. Because of your ability to deliver great vehicles like Frontier, Titan, Altima, we can make today’s investment to transform Canton to build BEVs. Nissan has long been a pioneer in mass-market EVs with the all-electric Leaf. Now more than a decade since its launch, we have reached more than 500,000 global Leaf sales and more than 5 billion miles driven in Nissan electric vehicles worldwide.
Jeremie Papin, Chairperson, Nissan Americas, during the Nissan webcast on February 17, 2022
In the United States
The brand has invested USD 13.5 billion for its manufacturing operations in the United States. The new EV investment of USD 500 million will preserve and upskill 2,000 jobs in Canton, with EV production commencing in 2025. By the end of this decade, Nissan expects 40% of its U.S. vehicle sales to be all-electric. The Nissan Maxima EV successor with a long range, affordable price, and high practicality could become a strong contributor to sales.
Featured Image – YouTube/Nissan
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
