Nissan delays Ariya electric crossover sales again, citing supply problems

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. is pushing back the release date of the electric Ariya B6 crossover again due to a global shortage of semiconductors and other supply chain disruptions, the automaker said.

The Ariya, Nissan's second EV-only model after the Leaf hatchback, will now go on sale on May 12 in Japan, the company said on Monday. Nissan had most recently flagged a late-March launch.

The Ariya was originally slated for a mid-2021 launch but was delayed by COVID-related chip shortages. Sales in Europe are due to start this summer and the United States in the autumn, Nissan has said.

A limited-edition version of the crossover went on sale in Japan as planned in January.

Nissan pioneered mass-market EVs with the Leaf in 2010.