Next-Gen Nissan Kicks to Be Delayed, Here’s Why
The Nissan Kicks is by far the most popular urban crossover in Canada, more specifically among models devoid of all-wheel drive. The company added a Special Edition for 2023, which is nice, but the recent launch of a completely redesigned and much more attractive Chevrolet Trax promises to give the Kicks a serious run for its money.
The current generation dates back to 2018, so when is the next one coming? Sadly, it appears customers will have to wait until next summer for the 2025 model year.
People familiar with the matter have told Automotive News that production of the future Kicks at the Aguascalientes assembly plant in Mexico will not start in December of this year but rather in June 2024. Deliveries will follow shortly after.
What’s the reason for the delay? A failure to pass crash safety tests is just one thing. According to those same sources, a theft of parts and tooling from a local supplier has forced the automaker to postpone the launch by about five more months.
A Nissan spokesman in the U.S. has confirmed that “the arrival of the next-generation Kicks is delayed slightly due to an unexpected factor outside the company's control." He also assured that availability of the current model remains “strong.”
Starting at just $24,369 (including freight and PDI), the Kicks is an extremely important product for Nissan, especially during these times of rampant inflation and high interest rates. Sales in the U.S. increased 28 percent in the second quarter of 2023, yet dropped nearly 11 percent in Canada.
The next generation is bound to play an even bigger role with the Qashqai set to exit the North American market, leaving a void to fill in Nissan’s lineup. Expect a slightly larger, taller and more powerful Kicks, with AWD as an option for the first time. Styling will inevitably evolve, possibly with a few design cues inspired by the Ariya electric crossover.