Nissan Puts Electric Qashqai Development on Hold Amid Deepening Cost Cuts
Nissan has shelved development of an all-electric Qashqai — its best-selling model in Europe, accounting for approximately 42% of its European sales — citing significant volatility in EV demand and continuing a sweeping restructuring that has already cut 20,000 jobs globally.
Nissan has shelved development of an all-electric version of the Qashqai, confirmed publicly on 23 June 2026 following a Reuters exclusive. The Japanese automaker quietly halted the programme in early 2025 as part of its ongoing "Re" restructuring plan, which targets a reduction in its global model range from 56 to 45 vehicles and a shrinking of production facilities from 17 to ten plants by the end of fiscal year 2027. The restructuring has so far resulted in approximately 20,000 job losses worldwide. The Qashqai is Nissan's top-selling vehicle in Europe, accounting for roughly 42% of the brand's European sales volume. Nissan cited "significant volatility" in EV demand as a key driver of the decision. The Sunderland plant in the UK, where the petrol-powered Qashqai is assembled, has already closed one of its two production lines, and the company is in ongoing talks with the British government about the facility's long-term future. If Nissan restarts the electric Qashqai programme, market entry is unlikely before the early 2030s. Nissan publicly maintains that an electric Qashqai "remains on its agenda."