Nismo has opened its first Performance Center outside Japan, choosing Australia as the base for a new outlet supporting Nissan’s performance-car heritage. The Melbourne-area facility began operations at the Ferntree Gully location, where local fans and enthusiasts gathered for its opening on Sunday, October 4.

Nismo Performance Centers are factory-backed facilities designed to support Nissan performance models and their owners. The Australian site will cater to vehicles including the Skyline, GT-R, and multiple generations of the Z, while also providing access to Nismo parts, technical knowledge, and heritage-focused services.

Support for classic Nissan models

The opening gives Australian owners local access to a broader Nismo ecosystem covering performance components, accessories, technical assistance, and customer experiences. The center is also set up to handle more extensive restoration work, with factory-certified “Nismo Meisters” overseeing its operations.

Nismo’s initial restoration and parts support is centered on the Skyline GT-R R32, R33, and R34. The program is expected to expand to additional Nissan models, although the source does not identify which vehicles may be added.

The effort follows a renewed focus on remanufactured parts, restoration, restomod work, and specialist technical support for older performance cars. Nissan Motorsports & Customizing, the organization responsible for the Nismo and Autech brands, was established in 2022. In 2025, Nismo announced plans to substantially grow its global restoration, restomod, and parts operations.

Australia selected for Nismo’s first overseas center

Australia’s new facility is also intended to serve a wider regional audience. Additional Nismo Performance Centers are planned across Australia and New Zealand, according to the source.

Yutaka Sanada, Nismo’s global brand chief, described Australia as a priority market because of its established performance-car culture, strong GT-R community, and demand for Nismo heritage, performance parts, technical expertise, and motorsport-related experiences. His comments were delivered by video during the opening.

The Australian launch comes as Nissan’s performance-car lineup has narrowed. The GT-R ended production last year, leaving the Nissan Z as the company’s current enthusiast-focused model. Against that backdrop, the new center provides a dedicated regional outlet for both current performance products and support for important models from Nissan’s past.

Nismo’s approach reflects a broader move among Japanese automakers to provide official support for classic vehicles. Honda’s Heritage Works program offers factory-grade restoration services for models such as the NSX, while Toyota maintains a GR Heritage parts catalog covering vehicles including the AE86 Levin and Trueno, classic Land Cruisers, and Supras.