Nissan is one of many companies that are currently navigating the uncertain waters created by Trump’s tariffs with the beefed-up fees affecting a wide range of models. One of them is the Nissan Rogue which serves as the company’s bread-and-butter utility model and is supposed to be a key cog in its plan to find its way to profitability once again.
The problem is that the bulk of Rogue production takes place overseas putting Nissan in the crosshairs of tariffs that threaten to put a dent in the Rogue’s profits. However, a new report appears to suggest the company could be planning to counteract the effect of tariffs by boosting Rogue production in the U.S.
Tariffs pushing Nissan to reportedly shift Rogue plans
The report comes from Automotive News with the publication citing a recently unearthed supplier memo. According to this memo, the company plans to build 172,533 Rogues at its plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. While this might not seem like much, it’s actually an increase of 62,164 units which is higher than a prior production forecast Nissan released before the full scope of tariffs became known.
However, while other automakers see the current selling climate as risky, Nissan is actually thinking the opposite with the company seeing tariffs as an opportunity instead of an obstacle. The company itself has not released any official statement on whether it will move with these plans but under the old plan, the company was going to cut production at Smyrna and move it to a plant in Japan. This proposed move was an attempt to take advantage of weaker exchange rates between the U.S. and Japan but with tariffs deep-sixing the idea, the company could now be forced to roll back that idea to avoid feeling the sting of tariffs.
Will it help solve bigger issues?
If Nissan does embark on enhancing the Rogue’s U.S. presence, it will be doing so as the company faces bigger problems. Sales have been in free fall and the company is currently embarking on a massive cost-cutting campaign to try and right the sales ship. A proposed merger with Honda also fell apart after the two companies bickered over who would have majority say in the combined entity. Ivan Espinsoa was named CEO a few months later but Nissan still has a long way to go in navigating through these troubled waters.
In the meantime, look for the Rogue to continue to be a key part of Nissan’s long-term strategy. The SUV has continued to be a bright spot for the company with the Rock Creek model we recently experienced bringing a higher degree of trail poise to the iconic nameplate. But trail running is only one part of the story with the Rogue also rumored to be getting a new PHEV model to bring it into the growing plug-in hybrid vehicle market with a separate rumor saying the Xterra could also return as a rugged PHEV.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.