According to an exclusive Reuters report, Nissan is in extensive negotiations to invest in electric vehicle maker Fisker, potentially giving the struggling startup a financial lifeline.
The deal is scheduled to close later this month.
The terms under discussion include Nissan investing over $400 million in Fisker’s truck platform and constructing Fisker’s intended Alaska pickup at one of its assembly facilities in the U.S. starting in 2026. Sources indicate that Nissan will use the same platform to build its own electric truck, leveraging its assembly facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi.
On February 29, Fisker claimed it was in discussions with a major automaker about a possible investment and cooperative development agreement after announcing that it would lay off 15% of its personnel.
With its entirely battery-powered Leaf hatchback in 2010, Nissan led the way in EV technology; however, since then, it has battled against more agile competitors. Through a partnership with Fisker, it would be able to enter the expanding U.S. electric pickup market.
Nissan’s talks with Fisker follow the wake of the former’s “rebalanced” relationship with its long-time alliance partner Renault. After several months of negotiations, the two companies have agreed to new terms for a rebalanced alliance, which includes a mutual goal of achieving a 15% cross-shareholding as part of the agreement.
The more constrained partnership has lifted certain limitations, which now allows Nissan to independently pursue growth strategies in sectors like software and electric vehicles. Henrik Fisker, CEO of the startup, told Reuters that the company will halt spending on additional projects until they establish a strategic partnership.
