Nissan Production May Rise With 2027 Rogue Launch

2027 Rogue Launch Supports Nissan Production Expansion

Nissan Production could increase next year as the automaker prepares to launch the new 2027 Rogue crossover in the United States. Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, told CNBC on September 21 that the company is considering higher U.S. output tied to the Rogue program. Production of the new Rogue is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 at Nissan’s Smyrna Plant in Tennessee. The initial version will use a traditional internal-combustion engine, while a hybrid version will follow. The plan would expand local manufacturing capacity as Nissan works toward higher domestic production in the U.S. market.

Hybrid Rogue Production Will Initially Come From Japan

Nissan plans to use a two-stage approach for the hybrid Rogue. While the Smyrna Plant prepares to build the model, Nissan intends to import hybrid Rogues from Japan, including versions equipped with the company’s new e-Power technology. Meunier said importing the hybrid model would allow Nissan to bring it to the market more quickly while U.S. production is being prepared. This approach connects near-term vehicle availability with the longer-term manufacturing plan, giving the company a way to introduce the hybrid powertrain before domestic hybrid Rogue production begins at Smyrna.

Smyrna Plant Could Move to Three Shifts

The Smyrna Plant is already operating at high utilization, producing the Rogue alongside other Nissan and Infiniti crossovers on two shifts. Meunier described the facility as reaching its current U.S. production limit, saying, “We’re now maxing out the production capacity in the U.S. The next step is going to be three shifts.” Adding a third shift would increase the plant’s operating capacity without requiring an immediate new assembly facility. The planned change therefore centers on using existing manufacturing assets more intensively as Nissan prepares for the next Rogue generation and additional U.S. vehicle output.

Canton Plant Adds Another Capacity Opportunity

Nissan also has another major U.S. assembly operation at its Canton Plant in Mississippi. The facility currently builds the Altima sedan and Frontier midsize pickup and is scheduled to produce the upcoming Xterra off-road SUV. Meunier said that adding a third shift at each of Nissan’s U.S. assembly plants could raise the company’s domestic production to roughly 1 million vehicles annually. That would compare with nearly 487,000 vehicles produced in 2025, making higher shift utilization the central mechanism described for expanding output across the existing U.S. manufacturing footprint.

Nissan Targets Higher Domestic Production by 2030

The production expansion also relates to Nissan’s longer-term localization target. The company aims to produce 80% of the vehicles it sells in the United States domestically by 2030. Increasing output at the Smyrna and Canton plants would support that objective by expanding the number of vehicles manufactured within Nissan’s existing U.S. assembly network. At the same time, the company is not currently planning a new plant, according to Meunier. Nissan’s stated approach therefore focuses on increasing capacity at existing facilities rather than adding a new assembly site at this stage.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The development could increase the strategic importance of Nissan’s existing U.S. assembly network as the company prepares for the 2027 Rogue and seeks greater domestic production. A third shift at Smyrna and Canton would allow Nissan to pursue higher utilization of established plants, while importing hybrid Rogues from Japan could shorten the path to market for e-Power vehicles before U.S. hybrid production begins. The approach may affect production planning, vehicle sourcing, and the mix of powertrains available to U.S. customers. The next steps will depend on Nissan’s execution of the Rogue launch and decisions on additional shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Nissan begin producing the 2027 Rogue in Tennessee?
The 2027 Rogue is scheduled to enter production in spring 2027 at Nissan’s Smyrna Plant in Tennessee. The initial production version will use a traditional internal-combustion engine, while a hybrid version is planned to follow. Before domestic hybrid production begins, Nissan plans to import hybrid Rogues from Japan with its new e-Power technology to bring them to the U.S. market more quickly. Nissan is also considering third shifts at its Smyrna and Canton assembly plants to increase overall domestic manufacturing capacity.