Tokyo – Nissan Motor Co. announced on Tuesday that it has ended production of its high-performance R35 GT-R sports car, closing an 18-year chapter for one of its most iconic models. The company cited difficulties in meeting global emissions standards and challenges in sourcing parts as reasons behind the decision.
The R35, which cemented Nissan’s reputation as a high-tech performance carmaker, will no longer be part of the company’s lineup for the first time since its launch in 2007. To mark the occasion, Nissan invited media and business partners to its Tochigi plant in Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture, to witness the production of the final GT-R unit.
The GT-R legacy stretches back to 1969, when the first-generation model—based on the Skyline—was introduced with race car specifications. Although discontinued twice over the decades, the GT-R was revived as a standalone model in 2007, earning global acclaim for its advanced engineering and motorsport pedigree.
One of the car’s most celebrated features was its hand-assembled engine. At Nissan’s Yokohama plant, a team of just nine master craftsmen were entrusted with building the engines that powered the GT-R to success on racetracks worldwide. Over its production run, Nissan manufactured 48,000 units of the R35.
In a video message, Nissan executive Ivan Espinosa hinted that the story of the GT-R might not be over. “This isn’t a goodbye to the GT-R forever,” he said, suggesting the possibility of a future revival for the legendary model.
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