日産にっさん「GT-R」生産せいさん終了しゅうりょう スポーツカーの開発かいはつ環境かんきょう 厳きびしさ増ます

Nissan Motor Co. has decided to end production of its iconic sports car, the GT-R, and on the 26th, the last unit was completed at its factory in Tochigi Prefecture.

They decided to end production due to rising development costs caused by stricter environmental and safety regulations.

The V6 turbo engine GT-R refers to the sports model Skyline GT-R of the Skyline, which was nicknamed Hakosuka and Kenmeri in the 1970s.

After new models were released from the 1980s to the 1990s, development of its successor began under then-CEO Carlos Ghosn, and in 2007, the GT-R was introduced.

With its powerful V6 turbo engine and four-wheel drive, it delivered high performance not only for everyday driving but also on the circuit.

The engines were assembled by craftsmen known as Takumi one by one by hand, and as Nissans flagship model, it gained worldwide popularity.

Approximately 48,000 units have been produced so far, and more than 17,000 units have been sold in Japan.

However, stricter regulations related to noise, environment, and safety require new designs and components, which increase development costs.

Accordingly, the selling price has also increased. When it was first released, the lowest grade was 7,770,000 yen including tax, but the current model, even in the lowest grade, is 14,440,000 yen, which is about twice as much as back then.

It is more than eight times.

In this situation, Nissan has decided to end production and bring an 18-year history to a close, as development costs have increased to comply with stricter regulations related to the environment and safety, and it has also become more difficult to procure parts.

On August 26, the last unit was completed at a factory in Tochigi Prefecture, and developers and others welcomed the car as it came off the production line.

President Espinosa: Left an indelible mark At the accompanying ceremony, President Iván Espinosa said in a video message, There is no doubt that the GT-R has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry.

Our goal is to revive it someday, he said.

Developer: “I hope for the revival of a GT-R with a new DNA.” Mr. Mitsutaka Matsumoto, who has been involved in development for over 20 years, said, “Even if we spend money on development, there is still the question of whether customers can purchase it at an affordable price, so we had no choice but to decide to end production.”

Nissan is currently in a tough situation, but I hope that the next generation will revive the GT-R with a new DNA, he said.

Nissan, which is currently undergoing business restructuring, reported a net loss of over 115.7 billion yen in its financial results for April to June this year, announced last month. Strengthening product competitiveness to recover sales volume remains a major challenge.

The development environment for sports cars is becoming increasingly challenging. Experts point out that the environment for developing sports cars is becoming tougher for manufacturers.

Mr. Takaaki Sugiura, a principal researcher at Mitsubishi Research Institute who is well-versed in the automotive industry, says, In addition to environmental regulations, the need to comply with safety equipment and security measures is also a factor driving up development costs.

In situations where it becomes difficult to make large-scale development investments, there are cases where we have no choice but to abandon the next development step, he said.

On the other hand, regarding the trends among consumers purchasing cars, Families with children tend to prioritize convenience, making minivans, SUVs, and three-row seat vehicles popular.

He expressed the view that “needs are becoming more uniform, and there may be an increasing number of people who prioritize practical usability over style or driving performance.”

On top of that, Mr. Sugiura said, Its unfortunate from the perspective of diversity if sports cars disappear due to streamlining in development and management. The existence of various types of cars in the world leads to the size and appeal of the market.