Since its initial availability for sale, the journey for the 2023 Nissan Z hasn’t been smooth. Initially, its production faced disruptions last July due to shortages of semiconductor chips, followed by a halt in sales when issues with the automatic transmission raised concerns about potential roll-away incidents. Even after an extended period, spotting a Z on the streets is still a rarity, and that’s apparently due to Nissan’s ongoing struggles with their production. However, the hurdle isn’t related to chips this time—it’s related to the coating, if you catch my drift. (It’s the paint. Paint.)
Reportedly, the complications are linked to problems at Nissan’s factory in Tochigi, where the Z models are manufactured. As part of the Nissan Intelligent Factory initiative, Tochigi has put a strong focus on sustainability and the latest manufacturing technologies, incorporating increased automation. These advancements have been implemented in the painting process, which is believed to be the core issue causing delays in Z production.
2023 Nissan Z. Nissan
The exact nature of the problem hasn’t been explicitly specified, but Nissan highlights that its Tochigi facility utilizes an automated paint inspection system capable of detecting imperfections as small as 0.3 millimeters. The facility also employs water-based paint with low-temperature curing processes that reduce energy consumption and recycle air used during drying. It’s been suggested that issues in some aspect of the painting process—perhaps related to one or all of these stages—are causing the slowdown in Z production.
According to reports, the problem is also impacting the production of front-wheel-drive Ariya EVs, with only 435 Z cars registered in Japan between January and May this year, and just 67 receiving plates last month. Orders in Japan have reportedly been on hold since July 2022, and even with a modest backlog of 5,000 orders, Nissan would take over five years to meet demand at the current pace. For comparison, in March 2023 alone, the Dodge Charger sold 7,861 units based on data from Good Car Bad Car.
2023 Nissan Z Proto spec interior. Nissan
Despite the sluggish pace, Nissan is anticipated to introduce the higher-performance Z Nismo model later this year, featuring revised aerodynamics and enhanced brakes. However, contrary to implications from Nissan officials, minimal increases in horsepower are expected.
A Nissan spokesperson acknowledged the production challenges faced by the Z, attributing them to an ongoing shortage of components (including semiconductor chips) while also admitting that the new production procedures at Tochigi have contributed to the delays. They also mentioned that orders for the Z in North America are still being accepted, although no comments were provided regarding the order status in Japan.
“Production of the Nissan Ariya and Z at the Tochigi Plant in Japan has been facing the significant challenges of 1) a limited semiconductor supply and 2) deliveries of components that have been hampered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated the Nissan spokesperson. “Additionally, with the implementation of the Nissan Intelligent Factory initiative at the plant, a completely new production system was adopted. Unfortunately, it is taking some time to enhance the production capabilities in the painting and assembly processes. Nissan is committed to making comprehensive efforts to restore full production capacity at the facility.”
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