Nissan is shopping for partners to build EVs, with one major caveat

Nissan is looking for a partner to co-develop new EVs with as it struggles to turn things around, but only on one condition.

Nissan is still looking for EV partners

After its plans with Honda fell through earlier this year, Nissan is still hoping to find a partnership to build next-generation EVs.

As part of its recovery plan, Re:Nissan, the automaker has already announced significant job cuts, factory closures, and other extreme measures to cut costs as it looks to return to profitability.

Nissan has been actively seeking new partnerships, but it won’t settle for “just a transaction.” Speaking to Automotive News at an event earlier this month, Ponz Pandikuthira, chief product and planning officer for Nissan Americas, said that although it was open to partnering, it would have to be a two-way street.

“We would not engage with a partner just to buy a vehicle, or platform, or piece of tech,” Pandikuthira said, adding, “That’s what makes it a long-term commitment instead of just a transaction.”

Pandikuthira suggested Nissan is already in talks with several potential partners, including Honda and Mitsubishi. Sources told Automotive News in October that Nissan was in discussions with Ford and Stellantis to supply a new electrified SUV based on the Rogue.

The sources claimed the electrified Rogue would use Nissan’s new e-POWER hybrid system. According to Pandikuthira, Nissan could also use the next-gen Frontier platform, set to underpin the new Pathfinder.

So what would the partnership look like? The product and planning boss said it could involve automakers either buying the technology or Nissan building rebadged vehicles, but the partner would still need to use its tech. It would be a two-way commitment, not just a transaction.

Either way, Nissan will need to move quickly. It already cut the Ariya electric SUV from its 2026 lineup in the US, and is reportedly struggling to sell the new LEAF.

We know we need economies of scale for an EV, and we would be open to a discussion with another partner to jointly develop an EV,” Pandikuthira stressed. That could involve a family of SUVs, Nissan’s product boss suggested.

Electrek’s Take

Starting at $29,990 with over 300 miles of range, Nissan says the 2026 LEAF has “the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US.” If it’s already having a tough time selling the low-cost LEAF EV, it could be a long road ahead for Nissan.

Like Hyundai and General Motors, which announced plans to co-develop five new vehicles, combining resources with a new partnership could help Nissan reduce development costs, leverage new tech, and achieve economies of scale.

What are your thoughts on a Nissan EV partnership? Which company would be the best fit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.