Nissan Weighs Shipping China-Built Cars to Canada Under New EV Import Quota

The exploration signals a bid to tap lower-cost China production under Canada’s reduced-tariff pathway for electric cars.

Overview

Nissan Americas chief Christian Meunier said the company is evaluating exports from its Dongfeng joint venture in China to Canada, though he did not name models or a timetable.
Canada’s January deal with Beijing allows up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs each year at a 6.1% tariff, with the first 24,500 import permits opened March 1 and early shipments already underway.
Tesla has shifted Canadian Model 3 supply to its Shanghai plant to cut prices, and Lotus has begun sending China-made Eletre SUVs, illustrating how rivals are using the quota in practice.
Nissan’s review fits CEO Ivan Espinosa’s plan to ramp Chinese exports to 100,000 vehicles at first and later to 300,000, after deep cost cuts and plant consolidations under the Re:Nissan recovery plan.
The quota has drawn sharp pushback from Canadian and U.S. figures, and Ottawa may split permits by brand to limit any single automaker’s share, while U.S. tariffs at 100% keep this route closed to American buyers.