Japanese multinational automaker Nissan has once again delayed the launch of its flagship electric SUV, the Ariya, as a result of the ongoing global chip shortages.
The Ariya was first announced in 2020, as Nissan's first all-electric crossover SUV. It was initially scheduled to make its debut in June 2021, when Nissan invited pre-orders for the vehicle’s limited edition line-up.
The limited-edition version of the SUV went on sale in Japan in January; however, the global launch was pushed to March this year, with Nissan citing supply chain woes.
According to Reuters, the vehicle will now go on sale on 12 May in Japan before being launched in Europe and the US at a later stage this year.
Over the past two years, the pandemic has put enormous pressure on supply chains worldwide, amid the increasing demand for a range of products across various sectors, including medical equipment, electronic items, semiconductors, apparel and many consumer packaged goods.
Semiconductors are the heartbeat of EVs, as the essential building blocks used to make the vehicle’s electric system. EVs typically require many more semiconductors than average combustion-engine cars.
Nissan pioneered mass-market EVs with the launch of the Leaf in 2010.
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