The recent unveiling of the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid in Japan begs the question: Will the company offer a similar model in North America?
Nissan has yet to announce overseas sales plans, but the Japanese automaker is mulling a possible U.S. introduction of a Rogue Hybrid, Nobusuke Toukura, the vehicle's chief engineer, told Automotive News .
With emissions rules becoming more stringent, demand for hybrids in North America is expected to increase over the next five years, and Nissan wants to have a hybrid ready if necessary, Toukura said.
In the U.S., the Rogue is Nissan's second-best selling nameplate, behind the Altima midsize sedan. Meanwhile, IHS Automotive predicts that hybrids will account for 7% of global passenger car production in 2020, up from an expected 2% in 2015.