Both Alliance brands will exchange key models to build out each respective electric-car portfolios, but the trade is limited to the US for now.
Mitsubishi and Nissan will leverage its Alliance relationship in a model exchange that will see the former sell the third-generation Leaf electric car, and the latter gain access to the Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
However, the rebadging trade will be exclusively for US market – for now – with both models to arrive Stateside from next year.
“At this stage we are still working through the opportunity and will have more information as plans are confirmed,” a Mitsubishi Australia spokesperson said.
It is understood the Foxtron model – likely a rebadged version of the Model B small SUV – will not make its way to North America as it is produced in Taiwan.
However, Foxconn – Foxtron’s parent company responsible for producing electronics such as the Apple iPhone, Nintendo Switch, and Sony PlayStation – acquired a US-based automotive production facility from the defunct Lordstown Motors in 2022, opening the door to build cars Stateside to circumvent or minimise Trump-imposed tariffs.
Meanwhile, Nissan will finally be able to build out its hybrid model offerings in the US as sales of EVs plateau.
Earlier this year, Nissan confirmed the Rogue – or X-Trail as it is known in other markets – will gain a PHEV option in 2026, joining the e-Power hybrid versions coming Stateside from next year.
And while it was speculated at the time the plug-in technology would be borrowed from its Alliance partner, given the Rogue/X-Trail and Outlander mid-size SUVs share the same platform, Mitsubishi has officially confirmed this to be the case.
“Mitsubishi Motors will leverage its expertise in PHEV technology to supply an OEM model to Nissan for the North American market in 2026,” the brand said in a statement.
A teaser image of the new Nissan model was also shown in March, outlining a new grille for the Rogue PHEV to differentiate it from petrol-powered models.
A Nissan Australia spokesperson told Drive “there are no plans for a plug-in hybrid X-Trail” for local showrooms, likely because Australian models adopt Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system for electrification.
However, the US will not have access to the range-extender electric vehicle technology – also available in the Qashqai small SUV in Australia – until at least March next year, and has struggled in sales as EV interest cools and hybrid sales soars.
This will give the US-market Rogue two hybrid options to better compete against the Toyota RAV4 and others.
Outside of the model trade, Mitsubishi will look to deepen its ties with Nissan through further collaboration, potentially paving the way for a rebadged Ariya.
“Mitsubishi Motors continues to explore ways to strengthen its partnership with Nissan, aiming to enhance its line-up of electrified vehicles and accelerate efforts towards achieving carbon neutrality,” the brand said in a statement.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
