Nissan Targets Strong U.S. Growth on Trucks and Dealer Momentum
Nissan is aiming for double-digit U.S. retail sales growth in 2026, supported by its expanding lineup of U.S.-built light trucks and a broader turnaround strategy. Company leaders say 2025 will mark a revival year, with retail sales expected to climb about 10 percent in 2026 after 873,307 U.S. sales last year. Longer term, Nissan is targeting 1 million U.S. sales by the end of 2027, which would lift market share above 6 percent and mark its best performance since 2019. Dealer sentiment has improved as management works to streamline operations, improve compensation, reduce inventory levels, and boost average dealership returns to at least 3 percent. More than 65 percent of vehicles Nissan sells in the U.S. this year are expected to be built domestically, helping mitigate trade and tariff pressures.
Product strategy is central to Nissan’s growth plans, with dealers responding positively to both near- and long-term launches. In the near term, the Rogue Hybrid e-Power, arriving late in 2026, is seen as a major opportunity, alongside continued support for the Altima through mid-2027 and pricing and packaging updates for the Murano and Frontier. Longer term, Nissan previewed a revived Xterra off-road SUV launching in the second half of 2028, the first of five U.S.-built models on a new body-on-frame platform that will also underpin future generations of the Pathfinder, Frontier, and an Infiniti variant.
National Gas Prices Dip Slightly as Regional Trends Diverge
U.S. gas prices slipped slightly last week, with the national average falling 0.9 cents to $2.83 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. While prices are up 3.9 cents compared to a month ago, they remain 21.3 cents lower than this time last year. The modest weekly change came despite oil prices reaching their highest levels in months due to geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar, and supply concerns. Just over half of states saw gas prices decline, led by Midwest price-cycling states such as Indiana and Ohio, where prices had previously jumped and are now easing. In contrast, prices are rising across much of the West Coast as the transition to summer gasoline begins and attention turns to a planned refinery shutdown in California this April. Over the next several weeks, more states are expected to experience price increases than decreases.
January Market Overview: Gradual Cooling Across Canada’s Used Vehicle Market
The Canadian used wholesale market declined steadily throughout January, with prices falling each week and limited signs of recovery. Both car and truck segments experienced consistent softening, with moderate but persistent depreciation reflecting a broader market correction and cooling demand.