Nissan has opened its first Nismo Performance Center outside Japan, giving Australian owners access to factory-backed support for performance cars, heritage models, and Nismo products. The Melbourne-area facility began operations at the Ferntree Gully outlet, where local fans and enthusiasts gathered on Sunday, October 4.

Nismo Performance Centers are intended to support Nissan’s performance-car community through parts, technical assistance, and customer experiences. The Australian location is also expected to serve as a regional base for enthusiasts interested in models including the Skyline, GT-R, and multiple generations of the Z.

Support for Nissan’s performance heritage

The opening comes as Nissan places greater emphasis on its historic performance vehicles. The company ended GT-R production last year and currently offers the Nissan Z as its only enthusiast-focused model, according to the supplied information. Against that backdrop, the new center provides a dedicated way to maintain interest in the brand’s older performance cars.

Nissan Motorsports & Customizing, the business structure covering the Nismo and Autech brands, was established in 2022. More recently, demand for remanufactured parts and specialist technical support has brought renewed attention to Nissan’s classic models.

In 2025, Nismo announced plans to substantially expand its global restoration, restomod, and parts operations. The initial focus is on the Skyline GT-R R32, R33, and R34, with additional models expected to be added later.

Services at the Australian center

The Ferntree Gully facility will provide local access to Nismo performance parts and accessories, heritage assistance, technical expertise, and customer-focused experiences. It will also handle more extensive restoration work, with factory-certified “Nismo Meisters” overseeing its operations.

Yutaka Sanada, Nismo’s global brand head, said in a video message that the brand is focused on moving closer to customers in markets where the products and services are appropriate. He identified Australia as a priority because of its established performance-car culture, strong GT-R community, and interest in Nismo heritage, performance parts, technical knowledge, and motorsport-related experiences.

The Australian opening also has wider regional significance. Additional Nismo Performance Center branches are planned across Australia and New Zealand, although the source does not specify their locations or opening dates.

Nismo’s approach follows similar heritage initiatives from other Japanese manufacturers. Honda’s Heritage Works program supports factory-grade restoration work for vehicles such as the NSX, while Toyota’s GR Heritage parts catalog covers models including the AE86 Levin and Trueno, along with classic Land Cruiser and Supra models.