(Reuters) – Nissan Motor Co has suspended plans to develop two battery-powered sedans while expanding its electric vehicle lineup to five vehicles in the United States, the Japanese automaker said on Tuesday.
“We are adjusting the timing of the introduction of these five new models to ensure we bring the vehicles to market at the right time,” a Nissan (OTC:) spokesman told Reuters.
The company’s new U.S. lineup also includes battery-powered crossover SUVs.
While Nissan’s electric sedans are still in production, the company expects SUVs to be released faster than sedans.
The company also said its plant in Canton, Mississippi, will support production of the next generation of vehicles.
The announcement comes as weaker-than-expected demand for electric vehicles prompts global automakers to abandon their ambitious electrification plans and instead focus on hybrids and gasoline-powered models.
Additionally, demand for crossover SUVs and pickup trucks has outpaced sedans and other car models over the past few years as Americans prefer the convenience offered by these platforms.
In March, Nissan laid out plans to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles around the world, including seven new models to be sold in the United States by 2026 and the creation of an electric vehicle production center in the country.
Automotive News first reported that Nissan has suspended production of its first next-generation electric vehicles in the United States.