Nissan trims petrol output as Chinese EV demand outpaces expectations

Nissan said it will reduce the manufacture of petrol‑powered cars in China and increase output of battery electric vehicles and plug‑in hybrids, the Guardian reported. The Japanese automaker said the "shift to new energy vehicles is happening faster than expected" and that it had been caught out by accelerating sales of electric and hybrid models in the world's biggest automotive market. The company also cut its sales forecasts for China, citing a "brutal price war" that is pressuring margins. Nissan plans to scale back traditional internal‑combustion production while expanding the mix of fully electric and hybrid models that use a smaller battery together with a petrol engine. The move reflects the rapid change in consumer preferences and competitive dynamics in China, where demand for cleaner vehicles is rising sharply.

Why it matters

The shift highlights how quickly Chinese buyers are adopting electric and hybrid cars, forcing major manufacturers like Nissan to overhaul production plans.

Key details

Location

China · Asia

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

11 Nov 2026, 18:41 IST

Key names

EV, Business, Japanese, Nissan

Section

Business

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianNissan reduces petrol car production as EV sales boom in China 11 Nov, 18:41

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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