Nissan to Eventually Kill Sedans But the Sentra Will Remain
The Nissan Altima has become a meme for being super common and often in a state of complete disarray on the roads. The popular sedan might lose its spot in the automaker’s catalog, however, as Nissan reportedly plans to chop the Altima after 2026.
AutoForecast Solutions told Automotive News that Versa production will also end, but a year earlier, in April next year. The Maxima ended production last year and Nissan extended Altima production at its Mississippi factory, but that run will likely come to an end soon. If the car continues after that, it could be electrified as a hybrid or PHEV.
Nissan dealers are already short on compelling models to sell, and the move to cut most of its remaining cars likely won’t help in the short term. The company plans to narrow its product offerings to focus more on EVs going forward, but without the Altima or Versa, Nissan will have lost two of its most affordable vehicles.
A Nissan spokesperson told Automotive News that it remains committed to sedans but didn’t detail plans to introduce a new model. If no new vehicle arrives to replace the Altima and Versa, the automaker will only have the Sentra, a handful of SUVs, and the Ariya EV. It also has only one truck on sale, as the full-size Titan ends production this year.
Despite its troubles, Nissan has some bright spots. The Sentra sells well and is often purchased without a trade-in, meaning it attracts first-time buyers to the Nissan brand. Owners are also relatively happy with their purchase, as more than half return to a Nissan dealer to trade the Sentra for another vehicle.
[Images: Nissan]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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