Changes continue to come to the Nissan catalog in North America and one of the brand's most representative models seems to have its days numbered. The Japanese manufacturer has already defined the direction it will follow in the coming years and that path does not include the Altima, a sedan that for a long time occupied an important place among American buyers.

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Although the model will remain available during 2026, the decision has already been made. Starting in 2027, it will disappear from dealerships in the United States, leaving the Sentra as the only sedan that Nissan will offer in that market. The information was confirmed by Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president and director of Product and Planning for Nissan Americas, in an interview with WardsAuto.

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The move is part of a reorganization process with which the company seeks to concentrate its resources on a smaller range of vehicles and strengthen the segments that currently register greater demand.

SUVs will be the center of the strategy

Nissan believes that the best growth opportunities are in crossovers and SUVs. Models such as Kicks, Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder and Armada will be protagonists of the brand's new stage in the United States, responding to a market that favors larger and more versatile vehicles.

According to Pandikuthira, analysis conducted by the company shows that many customers who previously chose a sedan now prefer a compact crossover. This trend has made this segment one of the most important for the Japanese firm.

The Nissan Kicks, for example, has established itself as one of the strongest bets thanks to a price close to $20,000, a figure that keeps it among the most competitive options for those looking for an urban vehicle.

Electric sedans will have to wait

Another important change has to do with electrification. Nissan decided to stop the development of the two electric sedans that were called to replace the Altima and Maxima in the United States.

The company believes that the growth of the electric vehicle market has been slower than expected and that there is not yet enough demand to support an investment of that magnitude.

Their expectation is that the real push will come between 2029 and 2030, when batteries are cheaper and technology makes it possible to offer more competitive products.

The return of the Xterra gains strength

While some models say goodbye, others could return. One of the projects that generates the most expectations is the possible rebirth of the Nissan Xterra, an SUV well remembered by fans of off-road driving.

As explained by the manager, the future Xterra will use a body-on-frame platform shared with other Nissan and Infiniti models. In a first stage it will use a V6 engine, although the brand is also analyzing incorporating a parallel hybrid system to improve performance and efficiency.

The release of the Altima represents the closing of an important chapter for Nissan in the United States. At the same time, it marks the beginning of a strategy focused on a smaller offering, with greater prominence for SUVs and electrification that will advance at a more cautious pace than initially planned.