Nissan Executive Confirms Potential Return of Z Convertible, But Not Guaranteed

Nissan’s Leadership Signals Possible Revival of Z Convertible

Nissan’s new executive team, known for its enthusiasm for the brand, has reiterated its commitment to bringing back the iconic Z model in a convertible form. Speaking exclusively to The Drive on the latest episode of The Drivecast, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, Ponz Pandikuthira, shared his vision:

“I would like nothing more than to see a convertible version of the Z out there.”

However, Pandikuthira emphasized that this desire does not guarantee immediate action. The return of the Z convertible remains uncertain, pending further evaluation.

Challenges and Feasibility of a Z Convertible

While Pandikuthira’s enthusiasm is clear, he acknowledged the practical hurdles involved. He stated:

“It takes a lot more work, obviously, because there’s things you have to do with stiffness and stuff like that, but we have had a convertible in the two previous generation of Zs and they sold very well. There was a large part of the mix.”

Nissan has prior experience with convertible Z models, which performed well in the market. This history suggests that a revival could be viable if the company meets its strategic goals.

Nissan’s Turnaround Plan and Sports Car Focus

The potential return of the Z convertible is tied to Nissan’s broader recovery strategy. Pandikuthira indicated that the decision would depend on the company’s success over the next two years, stating:

“Let’s see how successful the company is in the next two years. If we meet those targets that we outlined and things are going really well, that could be something we play with on a Z.”

These targets include product cuts, a refocusing of resources, and the development of new vehicle families as part of Nissan’s turnaround plan.

Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa has also underscored the importance of sports cars to the company’s identity. He previously expressed interest in reviving the Silvia model, with Richard Candler, Nissan’s global corporate product strategy lead, confirming:

“We are really deeply looking at the sports [car] lineup again. We all want to do some cool cars.”

Next Steps for Nissan and the Z Convertible

The path to a Z convertible is contingent on Nissan’s ability to stabilize its business. Pandikuthira outlined key priorities:

• Selling new Rogue models
• Launching the Xterra
• Achieving financial stability

If these milestones are met, the automaker could explore the development of a new convertible Z before the next-generation model enters production.

For those with tips on future Nissan products, The Drive invites submissions at [email protected].