Nissan Ends Altima Production After 34 Years as Part of a Global Plan to Discontinue 11 Models

Ending years of speculation, Nissan has officially announced that it will discontinue the Altima sedan, one of its most popular models in the U.S. market for the past 34 years. The announcement was made by a Nissan Americas executive, who confirmed that the 2027 model year will be the Altima’s last before production ends permanently.

34 Years of Success, Followed by Decline

Launched in 1992 as an affordable midsize sedan, the Nissan Altima achieved significant success, with U.S. sales peaking at more than 200,000 units annually before 2019. However, sales have declined sharply in recent years due to the lack of a full redesign for eight years and the discontinuation of the turbocharged engine in 2025.

In the first half of 2026, Altima sales in the U.S. reached just 42,288 units, representing a 31.9% decline compared with the previous year.

Sentra Outsells the Altima

Official figures show that the Nissan Sentra has become the company’s stronger-performing model, selling 75,549 units in the first half of 2026—nearly double the Altima’s sales. Nissan also confirmed that the Sentra will be the only sedan remaining in its U.S. lineup.

Nissan’s Plan: Reducing Its Lineup from 56 Models to Just 45

The decision to discontinue the Altima is not an isolated move, but part of a major restructuring strategy launched by Nissan under the name “Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life.” The plan aims to reduce the company’s global lineup from 56 models to just 45, resulting in the discontinuation of 11 vehicles.

Key Models That Have Been or Will Be Discontinued:

Nissan Altima (2027 will be the final model year)
Nissan Maxima (discontinued in 2023)
Nissan Versa (discontinued in 2025)

What Is Nissan Investing in Instead of Sedans?

Nissan is currently focusing on four key areas:

Launching the new Xterra, a body-on-frame SUV expected to be priced below $40,000.
Developing the Rogue e-POWER with an advanced hybrid powertrain.
Introducing five new models based on the Xterra platform.
Developing an AI-powered semi-autonomous driving system, expected in 2028.

What Does This Mean for the Saudi Market?

Although the decision primarily affects the U.S. market, it may have several implications for Saudi Arabia:

Altima vehicles currently available in Saudi Arabia will remain serviceable, with spare parts continuing to be available.
If production is discontinued globally, the Altima’s resale value may gradually be affected over time.
Current alternatives in Saudi Arabia include the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata.

Note: The 2026 Nissan Altima SV Mid Option is currently available at Alromaih Cars. For availability and offers, please contact the branch directly.

Conclusion

Nissan’s decision to discontinue the Altima after 34 years reflects the automotive industry’s major shift toward SUVs and hybrid vehicles at the expense of traditional sedans. As the Altima is gradually phased out, Nissan is positioning the Sentra as its only remaining sedan in the U.S. while focusing on developing new SUV models.

Follow Alromaih Cars for the latest updates on Nissan models and their availability in Saudi Arabia.