Nissan Motor Co., citing high battery material costs, warned dealers on Sunday that U.S. supplies of the Ariya crossover, a flagship electric vehicle, will be limited this year.
The Japanese automaker, during a make meeting at NADA, also announced plans for a wave of new EV and gasoline models it hopes will boost U.S. market share to more than 6 percent in fiscal 2023 from 5 percent last year. Nissan expects a 19 percent increase in production in 2023 vs. 2022.
The Ariya was slated to launch in mid-2021, but COVID-related chip shortages delayed it. U.S. deliveries began late last year.
The new halo model is critical to Nissan's effort to reclaim its position in a segment it pioneered with the launch of the electric Leaf hatchback more than a decade ago.
Availability and affordability of the Ariya were on dealers' minds at the meeting Sunday, with many of the roughly 200 retailers in attendance wanting to know why they aren't receiving more units…