NextFin news, Japanese automaker Nissan announced on Friday, September 19, 2025, that it will pull the 2026 model year Ariya electric SUV from its U.S. lineup. The decision comes amid the imposition of a 15% import tariff on Japanese-made vehicles by the Trump administration and evolving market conditions affecting electric vehicle demand in the United States.
The Ariya, built at Nissan's Tochigi plant in Japan, will no longer be produced for the U.S. market starting with the 2026 model year. Nissan confirmed the move in a statement to Motor1.com, explaining that the company is "pausing production of the MY26 Ariya for the US market and reallocating resources to support the launch of the all-new 2026 Leaf." The Leaf will debut with the lowest starting MSRP among new EVs currently on sale in the U.S.
The company emphasized that the Ariya remains available in the U.S. through existing inventory and that Nissan will continue to support Ariya owners with service, parts, and warranty coverage. Nissan also noted that no decision has been made regarding the 2027 model year Ariya and that this announcement only affects the U.S. market. Globally, the Ariya continues to play a key role in Nissan's electric vehicle strategy.
The decision is influenced by several factors, including the 15% tariff on Japanese imports, which increases the Ariya's cost competitiveness in the U.S. market. Additionally, the federal $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit is set to expire on September 30, 2025, which is expected to reduce consumer incentives for EV purchases. These factors, combined with slowing EV demand in the U.S., have led Nissan to streamline its electric vehicle offerings.
The Ariya was introduced globally in 2022 and launched in the U.S. in 2023 after a brief delay. Its best sales year was 2024, with just under 20,000 units sold, which is modest compared to segment leaders such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Alongside the Ariya's pause, Nissan is also scaling back production targets for the 2026 Leaf, which has been redesigned as a smaller, coupe-like subcompact crossover. Production cuts are attributed to battery supply constraints from supplier AESC, which will reduce output at the Tochigi plant between September and November 2025, potentially affecting delivery times and sales.
Nissan is undergoing a broader corporate restructuring that includes job cuts, factory closures, and a streamlined vehicle lineup to adapt to the evolving automotive landscape. The company has postponed or canceled several new electric models planned for production at its Canton, Mississippi plant.
In Canada, the Ariya is expected to continue being imported from Japan, as the tariff and production pause apply only to the U.S. market. Nissan's move reflects a wider trend among automakers like Ford and General Motors, who are also scaling back aggressive EV expansion plans in favor of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Sources: New York Post (2025-09-19), Motor1.com (2025-09-18), Le Guide de l'auto (2025-09-18)
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