Nissan is gearing up for a major transformation of its high-performance NISMO brand, unveiling a multi-pronged strategy that blends motorsports, performance road cars, and heritage-driven craftsmanship. Announced jointly by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co., Ltd. (NMC), the initiatives signal a renewed commitment to strengthening Nissan’s brand identity through emotion, performance, and innovation.
The plan forms a key pillar of Nissan’s wider Re:Nissan product strategy, where so-called “heartbeat models” play a central role. These vehicles are designed not just to move people, but to stir passion—an ambition that sits at the very core of the NISMO philosophy.
Motorsport as the DNA of Performance
Under the long-standing philosophy of “road to track, track to road,” Nissan continues to treat motorsport as both a proving ground and a development laboratory. Technologies refined through elite racing series such as Super GT and Formula E will continue to influence the engineering, dynamics, and character of future NISMO models.
Beyond its current racing commitments, Nissan plans to remain active in endurance competitions like Super Taikyu while also exploring new forms of motorsport. Looking ahead, prototype race vehicles will be introduced from fiscal year 2026 onwards, accelerating advancements in both hardware and software. These developments are expected to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of performance-focused Nissan and NISMO vehicles.
Expanding the NISMO Road Car Lineup
One of the most significant elements of the announcement is Nissan’s ambition to double its global NISMO car lineup, expanding from five models to ten. Market availability will also increase, allowing more regions worldwide to experience NISMO’s distinctive blend of motorsport-inspired performance and everyday usability.
Production targets reflect this growth. Annual NISMO shipments are expected to rise from approximately 100,000 units to 150,000 units by 2028, with overseas markets playing a much larger role. Nissan aims to increase international sales from around 40% to 60%, underscoring NISMO’s evolution into a truly global performance brand.
To further enhance customer appeal, Nissan is also open to collaborations with external partners, a move that could introduce new interpretations of NISMO performance and broaden the brand’s reach.
Reviving Legends Through Heritage and Restoration
Alongside its future-facing initiatives, NMC is investing heavily in the past. The global automotive restoration market—currently valued at approximately 500 billion yen and projected to exceed 1.2 trillion yen by 2032—presents a major opportunity for the brand.
Initial efforts will focus on restoration, restomod projects, and genuine parts sales for legendary models such as the Skyline GT-R R32, R33 and R34. More vehicles and region-specific offerings are expected to follow, allowing long-time enthusiasts and collectors to reconnect with some of Nissan’s most celebrated performance icons.
Driving Passion Beyond Performance
Yutaka Sanada, President and CEO of NMC, emphasised that the goal extends beyond performance alone. NISMO, he said, will continue to inject excitement, innovation, and motorsport DNA into Nissan’s broader product range—reinforcing the emotional connection between brand and driver.
Founded in 2022 through the integration of Nissan’s long motorsport heritage, the NISMO brand, and AUTECH JAPAN, NMC represents decades of racing knowledge and engineering expertise. Today, that legacy is being leveraged not only to create faster cars, but to shape the future identity of Nissan itself.
A New Chapter for NISMO Fans Worldwide
Through expanded motorsport activities, a broader NISMO lineup, and a growing heritage business, Nissan and NMC are positioning NISMO for a new era—one that balances cutting-edge technology with deep respect for its performance roots.
For fans and enthusiasts, the message is clear: NISMO is no longer just a badge—it’s a global performance movement, with its eyes firmly set on both the road ahead and the legends that paved the way.
