Nissan Might Produce 50% of the Upcoming Rogue for America in Japan | Carscoops

      The fourth-generation Nissan Rogue is anticipated to debut in early 2027, featuring at least two hybrid variants.

      Recent reports indicate that advantageous exchange rates make manufacturing the Rogue in Japan more cost-effective than in the US. It has been suggested that models produced in the US may be more basic internal combustion engine (ICE) versions to keep expenses down.

      Nissan has hinted at the much-anticipated Rogue plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which had previously been noticeably absent from its lineup.

      The automaker appeared to be counting on Honda to assist it, but after the collapse of partnership discussions, Nissan now has to navigate its challenges independently and urgently address its financial difficulties. One potential way to enhance its competitiveness in the US market is by increasing the production of the next-generation Rogue in Japan, which would help reduce costs.

      Currently, Rogue models available in the US are manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee, and imported from Kyushu, Japan; however, in the future, as much as 50% of all Rogue models could be produced in Japan. Reports suggest that building the Rogue in its home country could be 20% cheaper than in the US, partly due to favorable exchange rates.

      The Rogue holds significant importance for Nissan, representing over 25% of the company’s sales in the US, with its fourth generation expected to launch as early as 2027, according to Auto News. It is likely to come with e-Power series hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, potentially built exclusively in Japan, while the Tennessee facility may focus on producing less expensive, combustion-only models.

      An unnamed source stated that “the economics of producing the more expensive electrified versions and higher trims is better in Japan.” Nevertheless, Nissan North America's manufacturing head, David Johnson, mentioned that the company does intend to manufacture some Rogue PHEV models in the US.

      Before finalizing production plans for the new Rogue, Nissan will need to engage in negotiations with its US-based suppliers. Discussions aimed at reducing costs have reportedly been in progress for over a year to safeguard production in Tennessee, with the automaker requesting some suppliers to lower their prices by 20% in 2024.

      Last year, Nissan sold a total of 245,724 Rogues in the United States, with about 60% produced at the Smyrna plant. While shifting more manufacturing to Japan could yield savings for Nissan, it comes with inherent risks, as there are no assurances that exchange rates will remain favorable throughout the life of the new model.