The Nissan Ariya Is Already Dead in the US

Nissan is reportedly killing off the Ariya EV for the 2026 model year after just three years on sale.

Nissan Ariya

Photo by: Nissan

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Sep 18, 2025 at 2:15pm ET

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Nissan is undergoing a major corporate restructuring that includes job cuts, factory closures, and a streamlined vehicle lineup. As part of that shift, the automaker is reportedly pulling the plug on the Ariya EV for the 2026 model year.

According to a memo obtained by Automotive News, Nissan will pause production of the Ariya for the US beginning in 2026. The memo states: "This decision enables the company to reallocate resources and optimize its EV portfolio as the automotive landscape continues to evolve."

Nissan has confirmed that the company is "pausing" production of the Ariya for the US. The company issued an official statement to Motor1, saying:

'Nissan is pausing production of the MY26 Ariya for the US market and reallocating resources to support the launch of the all-new 2026 Leaf, which will have the lowest starting MSRP out of all new EVs currently on sale in the US Ariya remains available in the US through existing inventory, and Nissan will continue to support Ariya owners with service, parts, and warranty coverage. No decision has been made on MY27 Ariya. Also, this announcement only affects the US and is a result of the dynamic market environment and evolving consumer demand. Ariya continues to play a key role in our global EV strategy.'

Nissan Ariya US Spec

Nissan's move to discontinue the Ariya reflects both slowing EV demand in the US and the effects of President Donald Trump’s new 15-percent import tariff on Japanese-made vehicles. Built at Nissan’s Tochigi plant in Japan, the Ariya is also impacted by the impending expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30.

The Ariya debuted globally in 2022 and reached the US the following year after a brief delay. Its best sales year was 2024, with just under 20,000 units sold—far less than segment leaders like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

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Still, Nissan isn’t abandoning EVs altogether. As the company notes, the newly launched 2026 Leaf offers buyers an affordable (if smaller) alternative, starting at just under $30,000—roughly $10,000 less than the Ariya's base price for the 2025 model year. The 2026 Leaf is the cheapest EV in the US going into 2026.

Nissan joins a growing list of automakers that are pulling back on EV expansion plans. Companies like Ford and General Motors have also announced scaled-back EV strategies, shifting focus to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles instead.

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Source: Automotive News

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