Nissan is preparing a major shift in how it designs and develops vehicles, aiming to cut its product development timeline from 50 months to just 30 months. The Japanese automaker is turning to artificial intelligence, faster executive approvals and manufacturing techniques learned from its Chinese joint ventures as it works to compete in an increasingly demanding global market.

Leading the effort is Matthew Weaver, Nissan’s newly appointed global design chief, who took over the position in October. His mission is to introduce bolder and more distinctive styling across the lineup while helping the company bring new vehicles to dealerships much faster.

How Nissan Plans to Achieve a 30-Month Development Cycle

Weaver brings considerable design experience to the role. His previous work includes helping shape the original Nissan Juke, as well as the distinctive bent C-pillar design featured on the R35 GT-R.

His strategy for achieving what Nissan describes as “China Speed” is built around three main elements: advanced artificial intelligence, a simplified executive decision-making process and manufacturing practices adopted from the company’s Chinese joint ventures.

The objective is to move away from conservative styling decisions while accelerating the development of new vehicles. Nissan wants to deliver fresh designs to dealerships without sacrificing the distinctive character of its products.

Artificial Intelligence Is Accelerating Nissan’s Design Process

One of the most significant changes is already taking place in Nissan’s design studios. Weaver’s team has reduced the time between the first sketch and design freeze to just five months, using digital tools to complete vehicle designs twice as quickly as before.

These technologies allow designers to create highly realistic visual presentations of vehicles in different environments, giving company executives a clearer picture of a proposed design before approving it.

“We’re showing feature length films of the car as if it’s operating from desert and it’s been shot, you know, in the Sahara,” Weaver explained, describing how these detailed digital presentations help decision-makers approve designs earlier.

Although the growing use of artificial intelligence has raised concerns about its potential impact on jobs in vehicle styling, Weaver sees the technology as a tool that strengthens the creative process.

He believes digital tools allow individual designers to take greater control of their work, acting as their own directors and producing a much wider range of design concepts.

Nissan Cuts the Number of Executives Approving Designs

Artificial intelligence is only one part of Nissan’s effort to accelerate development. The company has also significantly simplified its internal approval structure.

Previously, a design could require approval from as many as a dozen executives. Under CEO Ivan Espinosa, the approval panel has been reduced to just four people.

The smaller group is intended to eliminate unnecessary delays and allow Nissan to make important design decisions more quickly.

What Nissan Is Learning From Chinese Manufacturing

Weaver is also looking beyond digital technology for ways to improve Nissan’s vehicles. The design chief regularly visits the company’s studios in China, where the team studies manufacturing techniques and design details used by Chinese automakers.

One example is flush glazing, which creates a seamless appearance between the door and window glass. These premium details are generally expensive to manufacture in traditional automotive markets, but Nissan is examining how its Chinese joint ventures produce them at lower costs.

The goal is to apply these manufacturing lessons to Nissan’s global lineup, improving the appearance and finish of mass-market vehicles without relying on expensive production methods.

New Nissan Skyline, Electric Juke and Xterra Are Coming

Nissan’s new design direction is expected to become visible through several upcoming models. The first indications of the company’s styling changes will arrive with the new Skyline sedan, which is scheduled to debut this December.

Following the Skyline, Nissan plans to introduce the next-generation electric Juke and a rugged Xterra SUV around 2028.

These vehicles will provide an early look at how Weaver’s approach translates into future Nissan products, combining more distinctive styling with a faster development process.

Nissan Pushes for Faster and Bolder Vehicle Development

By combining artificial intelligence, streamlined approvals and manufacturing practices learned from China, Nissan is targeting a reduction in vehicle development time from 50 months to 30 months.

With Matthew Weaver leading its global design strategy, the company is seeking to make its mass-market lineup more distinctive while bringing new models to market faster. The upcoming Skyline, electric Juke and Xterra are among the first vehicles expected to reflect this new direction.