Nissan is set to strengthen the presence of its NISMO performance division in Australia, confirming plans to establish factory-backed NISMO Performance Centre hubs locally from 2026.
The move will make Australia one of the first markets outside Japan to receive official NISMO centres linked directly to the famed Omori Factory in Japan, which is known globally for its high-performance tuning, restoration and motorsport expertise.
The first NISMO Performance Centre in Australia is scheduled to open during the second half of 2026 at Nissan Ferntree Gully in Victoria, with additional sites planned to follow as part of a staged national rollout.
Nissan says the centres will provide local enthusiasts with improved access to genuine NISMO performance upgrades and parts, heritage components, technical servicing, restoration programs and branded merchandise.
Factory-trained NISMO Meisters are also set to play a key role, bringing specialised knowledge and support backed directly by Nissan Motorsports & Customising (NMC) in Japan.
The announcement coincides with a visit to Sydney by NMC president and CEO and head of NISMO, Yutaka Sanada, ahead of this weekend’s GT-R Festival. He said:
“NISMO’s global expansion is about bringing the brand closer to customers in the right markets, with the right products, services and experiences. Australia is a natural priority because of its mature performance culture, strong GT-R community and clear appetite for authentic NISMO heritage, performance parts, technical expertise and motorsport-driven experiences.”
The latest announcement follows NISMO’s broader global strategy revealed late last year, which outlined plans to grow its restoration and restomod operations, initially centred around the iconic Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, R33 and R34 generations. But similar support will also be provided for Silvia/200SX models and modern Z cars.
So, you might ask, why Australia? Well, Australia’s appetite for GT-Rs and JDM sports cars is very high. In fact, all of 12,175 R34 GT-Rs ever produced, 5446 of those are in Australia. That’s 36 per cent of them. Around 20 per cent of all R33 GT-Rs are also in Australia, and 7 per cent of all R32 GT-Rs in the world are right here in Australia.
Basically, it means if you own an R32 GT-R in Australia and you want to give it a full restoration, the local NISMO Performance Centres can assess your vehicle and provide support and communications with the Omori Factory, and then organise for your GT-R to be shipped over to Japan for the work to be carried out.
The local hubs will also make it easier to order and receive genuine parts, starting with main hardware like clutches, brakes and suspension. It’s all aimed at making it easier to restore and maintain your pride and joy.
NISMO Performance Centres will open up in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth over the next year or so, following the initial centre in Melbourne.
