Q&A GUILLAUME CARTIER, AMIEO REGION CHAIRMAN, NISSAN
Why is Nissan only now launching its second EV? “Today, we have a vision until 2030 and that’s something which is new in Nissan. Until recently, we were more acting on MTP [medium-term plans], so a kind of three- to five-year cycle. Now we look 10 years ahead. The second point is that not only do we have vision but we have a clear view of electrification. Today, you have to decide: do I invest in EV or in EV and ICE? We will not invest in Euro 7 [for non-hybrid cars].”
What’s the plan for Nissan’s Sunderland operations? “Nissan is recognised as a Japanese company, of course, but the decision has been made that we invest and we manufacture in Europe, in the UK. That’s a big statement, because the company has more than 40 plants. So why in the UK? Because there is the know-how and we have built the full ecosystem, which is of course to build cars there but also to be in a position to have the battery production – the gigafactory for 9MW – next to the plant.”
How will the Renaultnissan-mitsubishi Alliance differentiate EVS on the same platforms?
“Even if you look at some of the platforms that are used for cars in the same segment, the cars are really different, because the way we design cars is totally different. In the Alliance, there are many things that aren’t necessarily visible but really important.”
How is Nissan affected by the chip crisis and the war in Ukraine?
“It’s better than it was. So we’re planning to increase [car production] dramatically, but this year, globally and in Europe, the demand isn’t yet at the level that we want. So little by little, we’re growing.
But I’m optimistic. I think it will definitely be better in 2022 than it was in 2021.
“In Ukraine, we’re taking care of our people. We have more than 40 families [there], and the first thing that we’ve put in place is to make sure we keep them safe. And for the moment, we aren’t keeping any cars over there. [In terms of parts supply] we’ve looked at it but we don’t have a major single sourcing in Ukraine.”