- Nissan will double the Nismo lineup to 10 models by 2028.
- Global sales target set at 150,000 Nismo units annually.
- Racer will evolve into the future Nismo production model.
Despite its ongoing challenges, Nissan isn’t easing off. The company is pressing ahead with a renewed push into the performance space, laying out a plan to expand its Nismo division by doubling the current global model range.
The strategy leans on motorsport as both a proving ground and marketing tool, while also branching into customization and vehicle restoration.
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The expansion plan includes growing the Nismo lineup from five to ten models. Nissan is targeting a sales increase from roughly 100,000 units a year to 150,000 by 2028.
A larger share of that will come from outside Japan, with overseas markets expected to make up for 60 percent of volume, compared to the current 40 percent. External tie-ups are also on the table, specifically to accelerate the brand’s personalization services and product development pipeline.
New Sports Model Born on the Racetrack
Motorsport remains at the center of the brand’s identity. Nismo has reaffirmed its commitment to Super GT and Formula E championships, while continuing to compete in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series. Beyond that, the company plans to enter new racing categories, using competition as a rolling testbed for future sports models.
One of the most intriguing pieces of news is a Nismo prototype that will begin competing in racing events in the 2026 fiscal year. While details remain under wraps, the plan is to refine the prototype through motorsport and eventually turn it into a production model. Could this hint at the next-generation GT-R or something entirely different?
A Growing Performance Lineup
What we know for sure is that Nismo’s portfolio will grow beyond current offerings. Following the discontinuation of the R35 GT-R, North American buyers are currently limited to the Z sports car and the Armada SUV.
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Meanwhile, Japanese buyers can also choose from Nismo versions of the X-Trail (Rogue), Aura, Note Aura, Ariya, and Skyline. Future additions could include a sportier version of the Leaf crossover and a fully electric hot hatch built on the Micra, bound for Europe.
As we’ve reported previously, at least one of the future Nismo products could carry the Infiniti badge. That likely points to a production version of the QX80 Track Spec concept, first shown in August 2025.
That concept SUV featured a tuned twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 650 hp (485 kW / 659 PS), along with a more aggressive bodykit and lowered stance. Similar upgrades may appear on future Nismo versions of the Q50S sedan and QX65 crossover.
Factory-Backed Restoration Projects
Nismo isn’t only looking forward, it’s also turning its attention to the past. The worldwide restoration market is currently valued at around ¥500 billion (around $3.3 billion at current exchange rates) and is projected to grow to more than ¥1.2 trillion ($8 billion) by 2032.
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Nissan hopes to gain a larger share of that segment by expanding its restoration, restomod, and genuine parts businesses. At the moment, these efforts are focused on the R32, R33, and R34 generations of the GT-R, though more models are expected to be added in the future.
