Nissan Admits Learning from China to Accelerate Vehicle Development

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Nissan Motor Co. has announced it successfully cut its vehicle development cycle by nearly half, from 55 months to just 26 months. According to a Carnewschina report on Sunday, the strategic move heavily adopts artificial intelligence previously implemented by Chinese automotive manufacturers. Nissan President Ivan Espinosa stated that the new development process has been tested on the latest generation Skyline, scheduled for launch in winter 2026. Nissan’s transformation has been significantly influenced by its experience in the Chinese market. Through its joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, Nissan utilised local expertise and technology to accelerate product development processes. One example of this strategy is the Nissan N7 electric sedan, launched in April 2025. To achieve the significant reduction in development time, Nissan integrated AI technology across the entire vehicle development cycle, from design to mass production. In the design phase, AI assists in rapid modelling by generating various design proposals optimised for both aerodynamics and aesthetics. In the testing phase, Nissan employs virtual simulations to replace more than 60 percent of physical prototype testing. This approach accelerates the evaluation of crash safety and vehicle durability, processes that previously required considerable time. On the supply chain side, Nissan also uses AI-based predictive analytics to forecast component requirements and potential supply risks. The technology is expected to ensure a smoother transition from the research and development stage to mass production.