Who Owns Nissan Altima?
Nissan Altima is a mid-size sedan produced by Nissan Motor Company (TSE: 7201), a publicly traded Japanese automaker. In US production since 1992, it sold 93,000 units in 2025 but is being discontinued after the 2026 model year as Nissan ends sedan production in the US amid the shift to SUVs.
Parent Company
Founded
1992
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Nissan Altima Timeline
Who Owns Nissan Altima?
- Parent Company: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: TSE: 7201
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Wholly owned |
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History of Nissan Altima
- Founded: 1992
- Founders: Nissan Motor Company
The Altima nameplate debuted in 1992 as a 1993 model, built at Nissan's new Smyrna, Tennessee plant as the successor to the Stanza. Positioned in the mid-size segment against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, it established Nissan's mainstream sedan credentials in the US.
Through six generations the Altima grew into one of Nissan's best-selling US models, at times exceeding 300,000 annual sales in the early 2010s. It competed aggressively on features, space, and pricing, becoming the company's volume sedan anchor alongside the smaller Sentra.
The sixth generation launched for 2019 on a new platform with available all-wheel drive, variable-compression turbo engine, and ProPILOT driver assistance, an ambitious update aimed at defending sedan share. It received a refresh for 2023.
However, the mid-size sedan market's collapse caught the model. US sales fell from over 300,000 at peak to approximately 93,000 in 2025 as buyers migrated to SUVs and Nissan's own Rogue and Kicks crossovers.
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In 2025 Nissan confirmed it would end Altima production after the 2026 model year as part of a wider plan to cut US sedan production, leaving the company focused on SUVs and EVs. The decision ended 33 years of continuous US production for one of America's longest-running family sedans.
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Who owns Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.?
Nissan is a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 7201. Renault S.A. is the largest shareholder with 15 percent of voting rights directly, plus an additional 18.66 percent held in a French trust with neutral voting. Under the alliance agreement amended in March 2025, the minimum cross-shareholding was reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent. Nissan holds a 15 percent stake in Renault and a 24.5 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors. No single shareholder has majority control.
Is Nissan profitable?
Nissan has not been profitable in recent years. The company reported a net loss of ¥533.1 billion in FY2025 (year ended March 2026), following a net loss of ¥670.9 billion in FY2024. Operating income was ¥58.0 billion in FY2025, representing a margin of just 0.5 percent. For FY2026, Nissan forecasts net income of ¥20 billion, which would be its first profit in three years if achieved. Free cash flow turned positive in the second half of FY2025 at ¥112 billion.
What is the Re:Nissan plan?
Re:Nissan is the company's recovery plan announced in May 2025 by CEO Ivan Espinosa. The plan targets ¥500 billion in total cost savings versus FY2024, split between fixed costs (¥300 billion) and variable costs (¥200 billion). It includes a workforce reduction of 20,000 employees and consolidation of the global manufacturing footprint from 17 to 10 sites by FY2027. The plan aims to achieve positive automotive operating profit and free cash flow by FY2026.
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What brands does Nissan own?
Nissan owns four automotive brands. The Nissan brand is the mass-market division, producing cars, trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles. Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division, launched in 1989, sold in approximately 25 markets. Venucia is a Chinese market brand operated through the Dongfeng Nissan joint venture, launched in 2010. Nismo is the performance and motorsport division. The company also owns Autech, a specialty vehicle conversion subsidiary that has been merged with Nismo.
What happened to the Honda-Nissan merger?
In December 2024, Nissan and Honda announced they were exploring a business integration worth approximately $60 billion that would have created the world's fourth-largest auto group. The talks collapsed in February 2025 after Honda proposed making Nissan a subsidiary rather than an equal partner under a joint holding company. Nissan rejected the subordinate structure. Both companies agreed to terminate the memorandum of understanding but continue strategic collaboration on EVs, batteries, and software through their existing partnership with Mitsubishi Motors.
Who is the CEO of Nissan?
Ivan Espinosa is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. He took office in April 2025, replacing Makoto Uchida. Espinosa previously served as Nissan's Chief Planning Officer. Upon taking the role, he launched the Re:Nissan recovery plan to restructure the company's cost base and return to profitability. Uchida had served as CEO since December 2019 and led the company through the post-Ghosn restructuring period.
What is the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance?
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is a strategic partnership between the three automakers, formed in 1999 when Renault acquired a 36.8 percent stake in Nissan. Mitsubishi Motors joined in 2016 when Nissan acquired a 34 percent stake. The alliance enables shared platforms, technology development, and cost efficiencies. In recent years, the alliance has been significantly restructured. In March 2025, Renault and Nissan reduced their minimum cross-shareholding requirement from 15 percent to 10 percent and agreed to further operational separation, including Renault taking full ownership of their Indian joint venture.
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- Founded: 1933
- Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: TSE: 7201
- Revenue: ¥12.01 trillion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 131,000
Where Is Nissan Altima Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Nissan Altima Categories & Tags
Nissan Altima Recalls & Controversies
The Altima has been subject to numerous recalls over its 33-year run, typical for a high-volume model, including campaigns for fuel system, airbag, and electronic issues. The sixth generation has had recalls for fuel pump and other component defects.
The model was affected by the wider Takata airbag recalls that hit the entire industry in the 2010s, and Nissan's CVT transmission problems that generated litigation and extended warranty settlements also touched Altima model years using the transmission.
The most recent controversies relate to Nissan's corporate troubles rather than the Altima specifically, including the company's financial deterioration, the Ghosn affair, and the restructuring that led to the model's cancellation.
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Brands Owned by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
AutomotiveInfiniti
Owned by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Japanese luxury automobile brand owned by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and founded in 1989 as Nissan's luxury division.
luxury-carsjapanese-brandpremium-vehicles
AutomotiveVenucia
Owned by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Chinese automotive brand launched in 2010 as a joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Focused on affordable vehicles and electric models for the Chinese market.
chinese-brandbudget-carsjoint-venture
Nissan Altima Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +33-year model history with established US production and service network
- +Available all-wheel drive, rare in the mid-size sedan segment
- +Spacious interior and competitive pricing against Camry and Accord
- +One of the few remaining domestic-built family sedans
- +Still selling near 100,000 units as the segment shrinks
Considerations
- -Discontinued after the 2026 model year, limiting long-term availability
- -Sedan segment collapse is why Nissan is ending production
- -Nissan's financial troubles constrained the model's investment and updates
- -Residual value uncertain for a discontinued nameplate
- -Nissan is refocusing on SUVs, ending its US sedan presence
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nissan Altima
Sources & Further Reading
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Competitors to Nissan Altima
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Motor Group | South Korea | 1985 | Mainstream | North america | All Genders | |
| Hyundai Motor Group | South Korea | 2000 | Mainstream | North america | All Genders | |
| Mazda | Japan | 2002 | Mainstream | Global | All Genders | |
| Saic Motor | China | 1924 | Mass market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
AutomotiveHyundai Sonata
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
Mid-size sedan from Hyundai Motor Company, in production since 1985 and a mainstay of the shrinking sedan segment.
carssedanmidsize
AutomotiveKia K5
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
Mid-size sedan from Kia Corporation, successor to the Optima, sharing a platform with the Hyundai Sonata.
carssedanmidsize
AutomotiveMazda6
Owned by Mazda Motor Corporation
Mid-size sedan and wagon from Mazda Motor Corporation, in production from 2002 until its 2021 discontinuation in the US.
carssedanmidsize
AutomotiveMG Motor
Owned by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited
British-origin automotive brand owned by China's SAIC Motor, producing affordable cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles for over 170 countries. Founded in 1924 as Morris Garages.
automotivecarssuv
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Nissan Altima competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Nissan Altima
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveHyundai Sonata
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
Mid-size sedan from Hyundai Motor Company, in production since 1985 and a mainstay of the shrinking sedan segment.
carssedanmidsize
Privately Owned
Hyundai Sonata is privately owned, unlike Nissan Altima which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveKia K5
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
Mid-size sedan from Kia Corporation, successor to the Optima, sharing a platform with the Hyundai Sonata.
carssedanmidsize
Privately Owned
Kia K5 is privately owned, unlike Nissan Altima which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveCastrol
Owned by Stonepeak Partners LP
British motor oil and lubricant brand now majority owned by Stonepeak, operating as a standalone company after 126 years.
motor-oillubricantsautomotive
Privately Owned
Castrol is privately owned, unlike Nissan Altima which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotivecarVertical
Owned by CV Group (carVertical)
Lithuanian vehicle history company that generates VIN-based reports on used cars across 37 markets, operating as the private company CV Group.
vehicle-historyvin-checkused-cars
Privately Owned
carVertical is privately owned, unlike Nissan Altima which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveChampion
Owned by Tenneco Inc.
Tenneco's ignition aftermarket brand for spark plugs, founded in 1907 and among the oldest names in American automotive parts.
spark-plugsignitionaftermarket
Privately Owned
Champion is privately owned, unlike Nissan Altima which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveFel-Pro
Owned by Tenneco Inc.
Tenneco's engine sealing brand for gaskets and sealing solutions, founded in 1918 and a standard name in the professional aftermarket.
gasketsengine-sealingaftermarket
Privately Owned
Fel-Pro is privately owned, unlike Nissan Altima which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Stock Information
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