Nissan to Begin China-to-GCC EV Exports in 2026 with New N7 Sedan

Saudi Arabia : Nissan plans to ship EVs from China to global markets, including the GCC, as part of a recovery and expansion strategy.

• Nissan will start exporting EVs from China to the GCC and Southeast Asia by 2026.
• The first model to export will be the all-electric Nissan N7 sedan developed in China.
• Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture has been formed to handle the shipments of global EV.

Nissan has shifted gears in its global operations with a new export strategy which targets fast-growing EV markets like the Middle East.

From 2026, the company will export electric vehicles built in China to regions like the GCC and Southeast Asia. This is a part of the wider restructuring plan by Nissan, with the aim of cutting costs, boosting efficiency, and gaining a fresh edge in competitive markets.

The Japanese carmaker will use this move to try maximising the strength of its Chinese manufacturing base and broad after-sales network to support new growth. The N7, a fully electric sedan, which is central to this shift, has been developed in partnership with a local Chinese firm.

Nissan N7: EV debut with global reach

The N7 is the first electric sedan from Nissan that is entirely designed and built in China. It was introduced in April 2025, and it quickly gained momentum by securing over 10,000 orders in record time.

The vehicle, built at the Guangzhou facility, is around AED 61,391, which makes it one of the more competitively priced EVs in its class.

It features a next-gen digital cockpit powered by AI tech from leading Chinese software firms, to help enhance interaction and comfort of passengers.

However, some countries limit imports of Chinese AI systems. To address this, Nissan has backed IAT, a Chinese developer, to customise software versions that are compliant.

Strategic alliance drives export efforts

• New Nissan-Dongfeng joint venture established in June 2025.
• Backed by 1 billion yuan capital, which is about AED 512 million.
• Dongfeng holds 40%, Nissan holds 60%.
• The focus is on exporting EVs and PHEVs to international markets.
• They have identified GCC as a key target for early deployment.

Recovery plan built around electrification

Nissan’s export strategy is part of a bigger picture. The brand, after delays in launching new products and declining global performance, revealed a deep plan for restructuring in May 2025. The move includes cutting 20,000 jobs, reducing its plant count from 17 to 10, and rebuilding its supply network.

Electrification is the key to recovery. The company is betting on affordable Chinese-built EVs like the N7, as well as plans for a fully electric pickup truck by year-end, to lift its presence in markets where EV demand is rapidly on the rise.

In markets like the GCC, where there is growth in EV infrastructure and government backing, Nissan’s China export strategy could help the brand regain relevance while delivering price and tech advantages to buyers.

Nissan is preparing for 2026 and beyond. So, its new direction shows there is an urgent push to stay competitive through innovation, partnerships, and global operations that are cost-effective global operations.