Nissan Cuts New Car Development Cycle to 26 Months, Fully Integrating AI to Accelerate R&D

Nissan Motor has announced it will cut its new vehicle development cycle from 55 months to 26 months—nearly halving the timeframe. The plan, unveiled on June 13 by CEO Ivan Espinosa, centers on adopting Chinese automakers’ AI-driven rapid iteration development model and will be rolled out across 90% of Nissan’s vehicle projects by fiscal year 2026. The first model developed under this new process will be the next-generation Skyline, scheduled for launch in winter 2026. AI technology will be integrated throughout the entire vehicle development process: accelerating design through rapid modeling and automated concept generation; replacing some physical vehicle tests with virtual simulations during validation; and enabling faster market responsiveness through data-driven decision-making. Additionally, AI will be used to forecast component demand and supply chain risks, ensuring seamless coordination between development and production. Nissan has already gained relevant experience through its joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor, having shortened the development cycle of its all-electric N7—launched in April 2025—to just two years.