Latest news with #PonzPandikuthira
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Nissan and Honda may co-develop GT-R and NSX, despite merger talks falling apart. Check details
Although not set in stone, a GT-R and NSX partnership is possible, and, in fact, necessary in the current automotive environment Though their formal merger is on hold, reports have surfaced that Nissan and Honda are looking at the potential to collaborate on their next-generation performance icons using the Nissan GT-R and the Honda NSX. While nothing is signed yet, both automakers are considering sharing platform technology but maintaining their own distinct engineering philosophies. A report by stated that Nissan North America's SVP and Chief Planning Officer, Ponz Pandikuthira, encouraged said discussions in a conversation at the 2025 New York Motor Show about the possibility of co-developing the GT-R and NSX. He stressed they would try to maintain the uniqueness of the vehicles and not simply produce rebadged versions. Also Read : Nissan GT-R to make a comeback soon as part of global revival: Confirms new CEO 'Could we build the next GT-R and NSX on a shared platform, while keeping each car true to its legacy? I think we can," Pandikuthira stated. He made it clear that these cars must never be cloned. The NSX is known for its all-aluminium precise lightness while the GT-R is known for extreme power and aggressive performance. They illustrate two distinctly different performance philosophies. Future Powertrains: Hybrid and Electric on the Horizon Even though the current NSX has been discontinued, rumors surrounding an all-electric replacement persist. Pandikuthira clarified that an electric "NSX-type" model wouldn't rule out the possibility of a separate, new-generation NSX albeit a unique one. Meanwhile, the upcoming R36 GT-R will be hybrid and aims to take on its European rivals like Porsche 911—just like the R35 did back in 2007. Pandikuthira mentioned that Aston Martin's relationship with Mercedes-AMG is one instance of how to share technologies while remaining separate brands. He mentioned that although not set in stone, a GT-R and NSX partnership is possible, and, in fact, necessary in the current automotive environment. Also Read : Nissan teases compact SUV and MPV for India: First look at the upcoming models In spite of the collapse of the proposed merger between Honda and Nissan earlier in the year, Nissan's new CEO Ivan Espinosa has maintained dialogue with Honda leadership. Espinosa has "never stopped talking with Honda," per Pandikuthira, and the desire for strategic partnerships has been left open. While not a confirmation, Nissan's comments indicate interest in a partnership as both OEMs navigate the future of performance vehicles in an electrified world rapidly evolving. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 04 May 2025, 09:53 AM IST
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan Kills EV Sedan Plans, Bets Big on SUVs Instead
Nissan has officially scrapped plans to build two electric sedans in the United States, one for its main brand and another for Infiniti. The vehicles were initially scheduled to be produced at the automaker's Canton, Mississippi, plant, with launches targeted initially for 2026 and 2027. But according to a leaked memo and confirmation from Nissan, those plans are now dead. The company cited both economic and strategic reasons for the pivot. "The sedan market is shrinking… we need to face reality," said Christian Meunier, Nissan's North American chairperson, in comments to Automotive News. The company's head of product planning, Ponz Pandikuthira, added that with EV battery costs still high, Nissan would have to price the sedans north of $45,000, out of reach for many of its core customers. Instead, Nissan says it's doubling down on what American buyers are actually asking for. 'Nissan is committed to delivering the right product, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price," the Automaker wrote in a statement to Car and Driver. "We are actively listening to market data and, most importantly, to our customers. Both are signaling the need for us to reassess our EV offerings, prioritizing what our customers truly want — SUVs over sedans. Production will now focus on three fully electric SUV models, including versions for both Nissan and INFINITI, with manufacturing starting around mid-2028." The first of these vehicles is an Xterra-inspired electric SUV, codenamed PZ1K, which was previewed at a Nissan event in Japan. Originally expected in early 2027, production has now been pushed to January 2028. A luxury version under the Infiniti badge, codenamed PZ1J, will follow a few months later in May. A third electric model is also in the works, but Nissan hasn't revealed any details yet. While tariffs and supply chain issues have challenged the auto industry, Nissan's retreat from sedans appears to have been in motion well before the most recent disruptions. The company had already delayed its sedan timeline once in early 2024, and internal hesitation seems to have grown from there. Still, Nissan is optimistic about its U.S. manufacturing footprint. 'We're very fortunate to have a robust industrial footprint in the United States,' said Vinay Shahani, head of U.S. sales and marketing, to Motor1. That domestic base could give Nissan an edge as it pivots to SUV production amid shifting regulations and consumer preferences. The cancellation frees up resources for Nissan to focus on more profitable, in-demand segments. But with the new SUV lineup not arriving until 2028, there's a long road ahead. For now, Nissan is betting that rugged, electric crossovers — rather than sleek sedans — are the key to its EV future. Will that bet pay off? We'll find out in a few years.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan Abandons Plans for Two U.S.-Made EV Sedans and Eyes New SUV
has cancelled plans to build two electric sedans in the United States, according to a report from The automaker acknowledged that the sedan market in the U.S. is shrinking and that it likely would not have been able to bring the models to market at a low enough price. Instead, Nissan will shift its focus to starting production of the Xterra-inspired SUV shown last month. It appears Nissan did the math and decided that there's no money to be had in electric sedans—at least for the time being. The automaker has cancelled plans to bring two electric sedans to the United States, according to a new report from Automotive News. The report is based on an internal memo, dated April 21, that the outlet reviewed. Speaking to AN, Nissan's North American chairperson, Christian Meunier, said, "The sedan market is shrinking... we need to face reality." Part of the issue, according to Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan's North America product planning chief, is the cost to develop and produce EV sedans. "Premium sedans are not our niche," Pandikuthira told AN. "If the [electric] sedans start at $45,000-plus... you're not in the core of the sedan market anymore." But for Nissan, the cost of the required batteries and technology would have put the new models out of reach of their usual customer base. Instead, the automaker is planning to focus on a new SUV that it will build in Mississippi. According to the AN report, the vehicle (codenamed PZ1K) is the same Xterra-inspired SUV the brand showed at an event in Japan last month. While production was originally scheduled to start in early 2027, the memo shows that it will instead start in January 2028. An Infiniti model, codenamed PZ1J, is also planned, but production for that won't start until May, some four months behind schedule. There are also plans for a third model, an unspecified EV, though the memo gave no hint at its identity or production timeline. Car and Driver reached out to Nissan to confirm the details reported by AN. We'll update this story if we get a response. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
ArabGT
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
What We Know So Far About the Upcoming GT-R and Its Arrival Date
Nissan has officially revealed new details about the upcoming GT-R, internally codenamed R36, marking the next major evolution in the legacy of its flagship performance car. Scheduled to debut between 2025 and 2028, the new GT-R won't be fully electric as once rumored, but instead will feature a hybrid powertrain that balances high performance with increasing environmental demands. After dominating the streets and tracks for over 15 years, the current R35 GT-R is finally approaching retirement. Launched back in 2007 and continuously updated over the years, production of this long-running generation is set to conclude in October 2024. However, the upcoming GT-R ensures the Godzilla nameplate lives on, albeit in a new and technologically advanced form. Confirmed by Nissan Executives The biggest revelations came during the 2025 New York Auto Show, where Nissan's North America Chief Planning Officer, Ponz Pandikuthira, outlined the direction of the R36. He confirmed that the next GT-R will adopt a hybrid setup—not full electric—because current EV technology can't yet deliver the level of consistent performance Nissan demands from its halo model. Earlier reports hinted at a potential electric GT-R, but real-world testing showed major limitations. Pandikuthira explained that electric prototypes were only able to complete a lap of the Nürburgring before needing lengthy recharges—an unacceptable compromise for a track-focused supercar. Nissan's goal remains clear: the upcoming GT-R must be capable of repeatable, high-speed laps, capable of challenging rivals like the Porsche 911 on circuits like the Nürburgring. Why Hybrid, Not Electric? While Nissan continues to invest in EV technology—especially through its participation in Formula E—executives made it clear that a hybrid powertrain is currently the best solution for the upcoming GT-R. In a mid-2024 interview, Nissan's SVP Ivan Espinosa praised electric drivetrains for their control and responsiveness in cornering but admitted that battery tech still limits sustained performance. The hybrid direction is strategic. It offers the torque and efficiency benefits of electrification without sacrificing the endurance and visceral experience that GT-R fans expect. Alongside its revised drivetrain, the upcoming GT-R will also introduce a completely new design language. Nissan aims to blend muscular aggression with modern sophistication, elevating both the exterior styling and the car's status as a high-tech, track-ready grand tourer. Expect a fresh interpretation of the GT-R's iconic shape—refined for a new generation of speed enthusiasts. GT-R Legacy, Reinvented Although Nissan previously remained vague on future plans, it has now clearly committed to preserving the GT-R identity through the R36. Despite stricter emissions laws and shifting market dynamics, the upcoming GT-R will continue to represent power, precision, and innovation. This next chapter of Godzilla's story won't just be about new powertrains—it's about adapting a motorsport icon to the realities of a rapidly changing automotive world. Hybrid performance, bold design, and relentless engineering are set to keep the GT-R relevant and dominant as it heads into a new era.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan Wants to Build a New EV Adventure Truck Right Here in America
You'd be forgiven for forgetting that Nissan was the first automaker to put an electric vehicle into regular series production, with the first-generation Leaf that debuted in 2010. That early mover advantage hasn't exactly helped Nissan corner the market here in the United States since then — but that could change soon. Senior vice president and chief planning officer for Nissan Americas Ponz Pandikuthira told Automotive News that the brand's future EV platform will support up to five new models built right here in America — and crucially, this plan includes provisions for a new take on an electric pickup. This particular new platform is centered around lower-cost lithium-ion batteries, and is separate from the solid-state battery-based setup that the brand hopes to roll out come 2028. That said, the brand does say that the new battery setup will provide faster charging times than current offerings; Nissan says it's has also developed more efficient motors, which will improve range figures. Production of the platform is set to take place at the brand's production facility in Canton, Mississippi, which could be a major boon, given the current tariff environment. The automaker had initially planned to roll out a pair of electric sedans to replace the Maxima and Altima, but that's no longer in play; Pandikuthira noted that the market isn't hurting for sedans at the moment, especially not at a price point in the mid-$40,000 range. Instead, the first models to arrive will be a pair of crossovers under the Nissan and Infiniti brands, aiming right for the heart of the market. 'The C-segment in the crossover space is the ideal starting point for us,' Pandikuthira said. 'As a brand, it's also our strength.' The pickup has yet to be officially green-lit, according to AN, which has been reporting on the rumors since 2021. The vehicle is described as a unibody platform machine that's smaller than the Rivian R1T, aimed at the weekend warrior more than the construction worker. 'There's a growing niche of people who want an adventure vehicle but are environmentally conscious and don't want to take a V-8 off into the woods,' Pandikuthira said. 'Do you have 100,000 of those willing to buy a Nissan electric truck? Doubtful. But that segment could grow, and we are keeping an eye on that.' With the recent death of the Titan pickup, a new EV could help Nissan solidify its spot in the segment. That said, electric trucks have already proved to be a bit of a lightning rod among fans, owing in no small part to the high price tags we've grown accustomed to seeing on them. We'll have to wait for more information about this upcoming platform, which should come in the coming months as the brand starts to move towards production. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
