# Nissan plans U.S. production surge with new Rogue hybrid

> The Japanese automaker is adding a third shift at its Tennessee plant to boost output as it launches its first series hybrid for American buyers.
- Title: Nissan plans U.S. production surge with new Rogue hybrid
- Summary: The Japanese automaker is adding a third shift at its Tennessee plant to boost output as it launches its first series hybrid for American buyers. Nissan is…
- Keywords: nissan, rogue, hybrid, u.s. production, smyrna tennessee, e-power, series hybrid, christian meunier, auto manufacturing, crossover segment, business, finance
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/21/nissan-2027-rogue-production.html
- Author: Michael Wayland
- Published: 2026-09-21T11:00:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nissan, rogue, hybrid, u.s. production, smyrna tennessee, e-power, series hybrid, christian meunier, auto manufacturing, crossover segment, business, finance
## Nissan maxing out U.S. capacity
Nissan is considering adding a third production shift at its Smyrna, Tennessee plant to increase U.S. output. The move could create hundreds or thousands of new jobs as the automaker launches the 2027 Rogue.

> We're now maxing out the production capacity in the U.S. The next step is going to be three shifts.
## New e-Power hybrid debuts
Nissan revealed the 2027 Rogue with e-Power, a series hybrid that uses an engine as a generator to power electric motors. It's the first hybrid of its kind for the U.S. market and doesn't require a plug.
## Pricing starts at $35,490
The Rogue hybrid entry-level model starts at $35,490, with the top Platinum version at $43,490. Nissan expects the hybrid to boost sales in the competitive small crossover segment.
## Fuel economy trails competitors
The Rogue hybrid achieves 38 miles per gallon combined, below the Toyota RAV4 hybrid at 43 mpg and Honda CR-V at 40 mpg. Nissan is positioning the Rogue e-Power directly against the RAV4.
## Hybrid imports from Japan first
Nissan will import hybrid Rogues from Japan initially to reach market quickly, with U.S. manufacturing starting next year after the spring launch of the gas-powered version.
## Production could hit 1 million units
Adding a third shift to each assembly plant would boost Nissan's U.S. production to roughly 1 million units annually, up from nearly 487,000 in 2025.
## 80% domestic production by 2030
Nissan targets producing 80 percent of its U.S. vehicles domestically by 2030 without building a new factory. The company plans to achieve 1 million Nissan brand sales in the U.S. by that year.
## Meunier's turnaround priorities
Christian Meunier, who rejoined Nissan in January 2025 after four and a half years at Jeep, made the Rogue hybrid and resurrecting the Xterra his top vehicle priorities. He accelerated the hybrid launch twice.
## U.S. sales up 10% this year
Nissan's U.S. sales through the first half of the year were up roughly 10 percent compared with a roughly 3 percent decline for the broader industry. The company is executing a global turnaround plan.
## Hybrid over EV strategy shift
After losing billions on electric vehicles, Nissan is betting on hybrids as a better solution for U.S. consumers, especially amid high fuel prices. The e-Power approach avoids the plug-in requirement of traditional EVs.
## Key takeaway

Nissan is betting on hybrid technology and domestic production expansion to compete in the U.S. market and hit its goal of 1 million annual U.S. sales by 2030.