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This $17,000 Nissan EV is off to a hot start in China and it’s about to go global

Would you buy Nissan’s new EV for under $17,000? Nissan said the N7 has already “exceeded our expectations,” as orders continue to climb in China. With plans to launch the new EV globally, can the N7 help Nissan turn things around?

Nissan sells a $17,000 EV in China?

After launching the N7 on April 28, Nissan’s new electric vehicle set a record in China, securing over 10,000 orders in just 18 days.

Dongfeng Nissan, the company’s joint venture partner, announced that the N7 has become “the fastest joint venture pure electric car” to reach this milestone. According to the latest update, Nissan’s new EV has now racked up 17,215 orders in its first month on the market.

The N7 is available in China with two battery options: 58 kWh or 73 kWh, good for a CLTC range of up to 540 km (335 miles) and 635 km (395 miles), respectively.

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Buyers can choose from three trims: Max, Pro, and Air, with prices starting at just RMB 119,900, or about $17,000. Nissan said 70% of N7 buyers are new to the brand, mainly younger families under the age of 35.

$17,000-Nissan-EV
Nissan N7 electric sedan (Source: Zhou Feng)

Nissan’s electric sedan is slightly longer than the Tesla Model 3, measuring 4,930 mm in length, 1,895 mm in width, and 1,487 mm in height.

Inside, there’s a 15.6″ central infotainment that converts to an in-home theater. It’s also packed with advanced technology and other fun features, like a built-in refrigerator.

The N7 is equipped with Momenta’s autonomous driving technology, offering high-speed navigation assistance, full-scenario parking, and several other safety features.

Dongfeng Nissan’s managing director, Isao Sekiguchi, said the launch of the N7 is “a new starting point” for the struggling brand.

Nissan N7 EV TrimStarting Price
Nissan N7 510 Air119,900 yuan ($16,500)
Nissan N7 510 Pro129,900 yuan ($17,800)
Nissan N7 635 Pro139,900 yuan ($19,200)
Nissan N7 510 Max139,900 yuan ($19,200)
Nissan N7 635 Max149,900 yuan ($20,500)
Nissan N7 electric sedan price by trim (Source: Dongfeng-Nissan)

Despite BYD cutting prices again last month, putting more pressure on other brands, Nissan believes the N7 will be profitable even at lower prices.

Nissan confirmed it will export the N7 from China to other global markets. However, the regions, prices, and other details have yet to be confirmed.

Electrek’s Take

Like most global carmakers, Nissan is struggling to stay afloat in China with an influx of low-cost domestic EVs arriving and an intensifying price war.

Japanese brands have been among the hardest hit. Nissan’s sales were down 12% last year, with 696,631 new vehicles sold.

With a promising start, Nissan hopes the N7 can help it recover. It will be the first of nine new energy vehicles (NEVs) the company plans to launch by mid-2027.

Will it be enough? Mazda’s new electric SUV, the EZ-60, secured over 20,000 orders in China. It will also be sold globally, under the name CX-6e. Following the 6e, its new electric sedan, Mazda will launch the CX-6e in Europe and other overseas markets.

Nissan has already announced plans to cut 20,000 jobs globally, along with the closure of several plants, as part of a major restructuring.

Can the N7 spark a comeback? Nissan is preparing to launch several new electric vehicles, including the next-gen LEAF, which will make its global debut later this month.

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Avatar for Peter Johnson Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising