Nissan Announces New Crossover EV Ariya After a Long Silence

After a long period of silence since the controversy surrounding former chairperson Carlos Ghosn, Nissan has finally unveiled a new project today.

The new vehicle Ariya was premiered in an online event due to COVID-19 in Yokohama, Japan, and it will be an electric crossover vehicle. The company deemed it "a new chapter for Nissan".

Chief Executive of Nissan, Makoto Uchida boldly said, "I can tell you this is a no-compromise car, you have to drive to feel it".

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Set to hit Japanese markets around July 2021

Ariya model is set to hit the Japanese markets around July 2021, and around the end of 2021, the company will roll out the vehicle to the European, North American, and Chinese markets.

It will compete against Tesla Model Y

Currently, the price is set around $46,000 US (or 5 million Yen) and will be competing against Tesla Model Y, which has a price tag of $43,690-$53,690 in the U.S. with all tax cuts included. Ariya will qualify for a $7,500 cut.

Similar to Tesla, Ariya also comes equipped with driving assist, it can park itself and has automatic collision prevention. The car will have an internet connection and will be able to make reservations. Of course, as is the case with other EVs, it's spacious inside and accelerates fairly quickly.

The choice of going with a crossover design, one that combines the drive of a muscle car with the utility of a sports car and the comfort of a regular car, seems a strategic one, as COVID-19 plummeted car sales and the consumer demands changed. 24% of car sales in 2020 have been compact cars in 2020 this far. 

The toughest waters still lay ahead for Nissan though, with all the incentives and competition, customers have high expectations from an electric car. It suffices to say that this car will be a make-or-break deal for Nissan. The company reported a $6.2 loss at March, the end of this financial year.

The company also renewed its logo with Ariya's launch as well. The rumors have been going around as they made trademark fillings but it's official now. At any rate, the new logo looks more modern and might just suit the all-electric Ariya.