While the global industry prepares for waves of new electric vehicles, Japan’s big three automakers largely will be focused on introducing, renewing and freshening mainstream vehicles — at least for a while.
Nissan Motor Co. will bring its second EV to market next year, the Ariya crossover. But more immediately, and perhaps of greater interest to its retailers, Nissan is selling a redesigned Rogue and Pathfinder — and will soon see a new generation of its aged Frontier midsize pickup.
Its luxury sibling, Infiniti, is most focused on the arrival this year of a redesigned QX60, typically its top-selling product.
Toyota Motor Corp. has signaled it is not entirely caught up in the frenzy for a battery-electric future, even though the giant is hard at work on EVs to come.
Toyota is planning this year to introduce an entry-level compact crossover called the Corolla Cross, and in 2023, a larger, three-row crossover expected to be marketed as the Grand Highlander.
Lexus will join the EV fray sooner, bringing the compact LF-Z to U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2022, with two other EVs following through 2025.
Honda’s immediate outlook is centered on a new-gen Civic and Civic Hatchback, with redesigns also coming soon for the CR-V, Pilot and Passport.
Acura, meanwhile, launched a redesigned MDX this year and is expected to have a new compact sedan on the market next year.
Of the group, Honda Motor Co. is moving fastest toward EVs, pursuing plans for an all-electric product line by 2040.