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.