Nissan Z's future uncertain after 2025?

[MCN1SMO]

So this is interesting. There is talk out of Japan that 2025 could be the final year for the Z and its due to a reason most might not expect. Japan has recently implemented a series of noise regulations in 3 phases. in 2026 phase 3 mandates a new car must have 71db of less. This issue is something Nissan already had to address with the R35 GTR. A 2023MY GTR was not sold in Japan while nissan revamped the exhaust system to comply with that years phase 2 restrictions. A small batch of North American spec were still produced as they didnt require the change. In 2024 Nissan introduced a facelifted GTR that had a much more quite exhaust due to new design with a extra chamber and rerouting of airflow. The GTR was discontinued globally this year for various reasons ( 17 year old supply chain for production was one) but another factor was even with its revised exhaust system it would not be able to comply with domestic noise regulations in 2026.


Now there is speculation that the Z could meet a similar fate. The US spec Z already has 2 different OEM exhaust for manual and auto because of California's drive by regulations but the Japanese restriction is expected to have implications for future sports cars including the Z domestically for them. Its important to note that the US is the largest production market for the Z exceeding Japan so it is unknown what effect this might have for global production if any but it would be odd for the iconic Z to still be produced while at the same time not being sold in Japan.

 

[jc604]

signs that it would b the tail end of the Z was when they came up with the name just Z. Happy to be an owner of only a few.

 

[Zenogias]

I would think most owners would be happy with this news, as a limited production run increases the value a significant amount down the road. Could become a collector's car eventually.

 

[ZillaZ]

That would be unfortunate and I agree - not an expected reason for it. Love the unique-ness of the new Z and actually appreciate the "rareness" of it. I have had tons of compliments on my new Z and had lots of people give a thumbs-up when driving past them.... still only seen 1 other one on the road and 1 other that sold in my town (Midwest USA). The two nissan dealers have a total of 10 and have had them for 4+ months now and we are in fall. I don't know what to make of it outside of Mustangs, Camaro's, Challengers and Corvette's are king where I live and only 2 of those are continuing production - Mustang and Corvette.
I guess me and the 1 other Z and 4 or so other Supra guys in town will just have to keep head-nodding each other while everyone else ignores us.

 

[MCN1SMO]

This rumor is specifically for the Japanese market which is a smaller market for the Z than the US and might not directly impact North American production.

With that said given the current state of Nissan and waning demand for the Z it's something to keep and eye on and revisit next year as we look past 2025

 

[mikecarpage]

...With that said given the current state of Nissan and waning demand for the Z it's something to keep and eye on and revisit next year as we look past 2025

Yea, I'd agree that this news is significant primarily because of both the current state of Nissan and/or how they've handled things recently.

I will add that the addition of Bayside Blue and Midnight Purple are quite interesting now that I think of it. Didn't Nissan offer the same 2 colors in limited production special editions for the GTR's final year of U.S production? Maybe, just maybe, they're doing the same thing with the Z in Japan?

An announcement could come midway through next year and who knows, maybe a late model year special edition Z could be the end. Nissan just trademarked "Z Warrior" in Australia, possibly for the rally Z. There is definitely a global market for the Z.

 

[jc604]

This rumor is specifically for the Japanese market which is a smaller market for the Z than the US and might not directly impact North American production.

With that said given the current state of Nissan and waning demand for the Z it's something to keep and eye on and revisit next year as we look past 2025

All i know is im 1 of 500? Owners in canada? ?

 

[MacCool]

I think that the hand writing has been on the wall for the Z ever since we saw the 370Z stay on the market fundamentally unchanged for 11 years. That was a distinct indicator of how Nissan viewed the Z platform as a market asset and I'm sure they did so based on sales and market research. When they then jolted a little life into it with the RZ34, they did so by bringing it out on a fundamentally uncharged chassis. That seems to me like a toe-in-the-water rather than a full-on commitment. Current sales appear to indicate that may have been a prudent approach.

There are likely many reasons why that's happening, but the bottom line (obviously) is that Nissan (and other auto manufacturers) can't sell these sports cars in sufficient quantity to justify the development and marketing costs. I think that the end of the Z is inevitable, and soon. I'll bet someday it will be resurrected as a nostalgia piece (as what happened before when the Z went on "hiatus" from 1997 to 2002), but I'll bet it won't happen until the auto market and engineering confusion settles down from its current global tantrum.

 

[msco123]

Interesting article...hope not true


https://www.autoblog.com/news/nissa...0k59PTIz1NAeInHphg_aem_ijg_J6ioMuSSdULMPPdwiQ

 

[MattJ2020]

Honda Prelude will return as a Hybrid or full electric, where Toyota and Subaru are developing the next 86/BRZ and don’t forget a smaller MR2 type car and new engine. The interest is there but I have to say it is who is running the company and having the passion like Mr Toyoda is key to keep the cars like the Z around!

 

[ZillaZ]

Interesting article...hope not true


https://www.autoblog.com/news/nissa...0k59PTIz1NAeInHphg_aem_ijg_J6ioMuSSdULMPPdwiQ

They just need to adopt the Toyota / Ford / GM model of having more electric / hybrid / SUV / stuff to support their sports cars. It's pretty well-known that the Porsche SUV saved the Porsche Sports car. Mustangs and Corvettes would not still be produced if it weren't for all the other sales they have - though in the US those are WAY more popular than Z's and Supra's. Nissan can recover, I think they just need to change their focus so they can continue to fund legacy's like the Z.

 

[MacCool]

Honda Prelude will return as a Hybrid or full electric, where Toyota and Subaru are developing the next 86/BRZ and don’t forget a smaller MR2 type car and new engine. The interest is there but I have to say it is who is running the company and having the passion like Mr Toyoda is key to keep the cars like the Z around!

Having passion is one thing, but having the financial stability to support that passion is a different story. Nissan is not the most financially healthy auto manufacturer in the world...certainly not on the order of Toyota or Porsche...and it doesn't appear to be getting healthier in this global economy. I think Nissan's financial condition has to be making them look hard at where they can prune the dead wood, and in the financial world that usually means dumping the less profitable product lines.

 

[rvlbrs]

Despite it selling more now than it previously was. Still not seeing any on the road. Some days, I truly feels like nobody cares about this car. Other days the car breaks everyone's neck. The Z really seems to have somewhat of a "ghost" like reputation at the moment. Sorta like a "IYKYK" kind of thing.

It kind of makes me wonder, if Nissan wasn't in such a financial funk (and if they REALLY cared). How would this car have turned out?

 

[Loco38SUP]

Despite it selling more now than it previously was. Still not seeing any on the road. Some days, I truly feels like nobody cares about this car. Other days the car breaks everyone's neck. The Z really seems to have somewhat of a "ghost" like reputation at the moment. Sorta like a "IYKYK" kind of thing.

It kind of makes me wonder, if Nissan wasn't in such a financial funk (and if they REALLY cared). How would this car have turned out?

I was at a Cars & Coffee last weekend and there was a black premium Z there. Not one person walked up to it just me the 2 hours I was there.

-RJM

 

[rvlbrs]

I was at a Cars & Coffee last weekend and there was a black premium Z there. Not one person walked up to it just me the 2 hours I was there.

-RJM

Yeah! It's stuff like that lol. Don't get me wrong, I bought the car cause I like it but to see a once really celebrated car be cast aside...Kinda feels bad.