Dongfeng Nissan, the joint venture between Nissan Motor and Dongfeng Motor, unveiled the all-electric N7 sedan on Wednesday evening, marking one of the most significant comebacks by a joint venture carmaker in China’s fast-moving electric vehicle (EV) market.
The N7 launches with an aggressive price range of RMB 119,900 to RMB 149,900 ($16,450–$20,560), positioning it to directly compete with domestic rivals such as Xpeng’s Mona M03 and undercutting the price of BYD’s flagship Han L EV. Within two hours of the launch event, Dongfeng Nissan reported receiving over 10,000 orders for the vehicle.
“The N7 is the first model designed and developed entirely by our Chinese team, and it’s intended for global markets,” Dongfeng Nissan said. The model is based on the company’s Tianyan architecture and targets family-oriented buyers, focusing on comfort and practicality.
The N7 is a mid-to-large-size sedan measuring 4,930 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. It features a sleek exterior with a drag coefficient of just 0.208, aimed at improving energy efficiency. The sedan is offered in five variants—three with a 510-km range powered by 58-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, and two with a 625-km range powered by 73-kWh LFP batteries. All variants support 3C fast charging, reaching 80% capacity in 19 minutes, and provide up to 6.6 kW external discharge capability.
Unlike most mainstream EVs that use rear-wheel drive, the N7 features a single-motor front-wheel drive system delivering 160 kW of power and 305 Nm of torque. Additional features include a 15.6-inch 2.5K center screen, AI-powered voice assistants, and an advanced driver-assist system co-developed with Chinese startup Momenta.
The launch is seen as a critical step for Japanese automakers, who risk being marginalized in China’s rapidly electrifying auto sector. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), new energy vehicles accounted for 51.1% of retail sales in March, but only 6% of those sales came from mainstream joint venture brands.
Dongfeng Nissan plans to release at least five new electrified models, including BEVs and PHEVs, by the end of 2026 as it attempts to regain footing in the world’s largest EV market.