Shanghai (ZXZC)- Nissan saw its China sales in 2018 grew 2.9% over a year ago to 1,563,986 units, making it the champion among all Japanese automakers.

ZXZC hereby summarizes the Japanese automaker's top stories that happened in China last year as below.

Dongfeng Nissan to roll out 15 new models from 2018 to 2022

Dongfeng Nissan plans to roll out 15 new models in total from 2018 to 2022 and increase the number of dealers to 1,000 from 750, a Chinese media outlet reported in early February.

The all-new Nissan Leaf BEV was unveiled at the Auto China 2018 in April, which is expected to be introduced to China by Dongfeng Nissan.

Nissan announces senior management change for China operation

Nissan announced on March 14 that Chief Performance Officer Jose Munoz would assume the responsibility as head of Nissan's China operations. Makoto Uchida, incumbent head of purchasing, would be promoted to Senior Vice President (SVP) of Nissan Motor and President of Dongfeng Motor Company Limited (DFL).   

Besides, Jun Seki, would be promoted to SVP of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance from President of DFL and SVP of Nissan Motor, taking charge of manufacturing technique and process management.

All personnel changes announced above would come into effect on April 1, 2018.

JV between Renault-Nissan Alliance and Dongfeng focuses on NEV R&D

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. (Dongfeng) announced on August 29, 2017 a new joint venture to co-develop and sell electric vehicles (EV) in China.

The new joint venture, eGT New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. (eGT), will focus on the core competencies of each partner and will harness the full potential of the Renault-Nissan Alliance electric vehicle leadership, as well as the resources of Dongfeng in the new energy industry, to meet the expectations of the Chinese market.

The first model of eGT, based on an A-segment SUV platform of the Alliance, will be manufactured at Dongfeng Motor's plant in Shiyan, Hubei Province from 2019, according to reports delivered in early April.

Nissan agrees to sell car battery unit to China's Envision Group

Nissan said on August 3 it agreed to sell its electric car battery unit to Chinese renewable energy firm Envision Group for an undisclosed sum.

Under the agreement, Nissan would retain a 25% of equity interest in the entity newly formed by Envision. The deal, which covers battery plants in Tennessee and in England, is expected to be completed in March this year.

Nissan said in a statement that the workforce at all facilities involved in the deal would continue to be employed.

Dongfeng Nissan sees 10,000,000th vehicle roll off production line

Dongfeng Nissan witnessed its 10,000,000th vehicle officially roll off the production line on August 27. The milestone vehicle is a Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission, which is also the first Nissan electric car made for China.

The Sylphy Zero Emission hit China's market on September 25. Prices of two variants after subsidies range between RMB159,000 and RMB166,000. The EV model measures 4,677mm long, 1,760mm wide and 1,520mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 2,700mm. Based on Nissan's E-Platform, the Sylphy Zero Emission is powered by a TZ200XS5UR permanent magnet synchronous motor that pumps out 80kW and peak torque of 254 N·m.

Nissan to produce EV batteries and motors in China

Nissan would manufacture key auto parts like batteries and motors for its China-made EVs beginning in December, Nikkei Asian Review reported on November 16.

Dongfeng Nissan began producing the Sylphy Zero Emission EV in August. The Japanese automaker aims to roll out 40 or more new models in China by 2022, with half of them EVs or HEVs. It has earmarked RMB60 billion of investment for the world's largest auto market over the next five years to fulfill the goal.

Nissan plans to decrease vehicle production in China

Nissan will slash vehicle outputs in China to survive the step-down economy, according to the statement from people with the knowledge of this matter cited by Reuter on December 28.

Over three-month period starting in December 2018, the automaker is likely to reduce the vehicle capacity in China by 30,000 units. However, the initial production target for the three months still remains unknown yet.

From December 2017 to February 2018, Nissan output nearly 400,000 vehicles in this country.