Nismo Performance Centre opens at Ferntree Gully as Nissan's first site outside Japan

The opening and what the centre offers

Nissan has officially opened Australia's first Nismo Performance Centre at Ferntree Gully Nissan in Melbourne, marking the first such facility outside Japan and the opening move in a broader local and global expansion of the performance brand. Unveiled to enthusiasts and GT-R owners on Sunday, 4 October 2026, the centre creates a direct link between Australian customers and Nismo's Omori Factory in Japan, providing access to factory-backed performance parts, heritage components, technical support and advanced restoration services, according to GoAuto. ²

The centre operates as a shop-within-a-shop integrated into the existing dealership at 1000 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, CarExpert reported, with the facility set to display parts, news and models. Nissan Oceania director of sales and aftersales Michael Hill, speaking at the media event announcing the news earlier this year, described the offering to CarExpert as including performance engine build menus, heritage parts available exclusively through the performance centres, Nismo performance parts and Nismo merchandise. ³

Work on approved vehicles will be handled by Nismo-certified technicians known as Nismo Meisters, GoAuto reported, with Man of Many noting that these factory-certified specialists will manage complex vehicle restorations locally under the standards of the Yokohama-based Omori Factory operation. ²¹

Which cars the centre will cater to

The Performance Centre will cater principally to Nissan's sizeable local enthusiast fleet, including R32, R33 and R34 series Skyline GT-Rs, as well as Z models, Silvias, Stageas and other Japanese-market performance cars, GoAuto reported. Torquecafe confirmed the centre will not be exclusive to buyers of Nissan vehicles officially sold locally, with the long history of grey imports inspiring Nissan to open its doors to its cars of all origins. ²⁴

The centre also forms a local pathway into Nismo's expanding international restoration program, which initially focuses on the R32, R33 and R34 series Skyline GT-R generations, according to GoAuto. CarExpert reported that the program follows Nissan's 2025 commitment to expand its vehicle restoration programs globally, and that the centre will help owners source parts that have previously been difficult to obtain, with plans to cater to more models beyond these in future. ²³

Why Australia was chosen first

GoAuto reported in May that Nissan estimates there are around 35,500 relevant enthusiast vehicles in Australia, including more than 16,500 Japanese-market Skylines, giving the country one of the strongest concentrations of legacy Nissan performance models outside Japan. ²

Man of Many reported that corporate estimates indicate 36 per cent of the total global R34 Skyline GT-R build found a home in Australia, alongside 20 per cent of R33s and 7 per cent of R32s, a concentration that positioned the domestic market as a natural priority for official factory support. ¹

The historical connection is particularly strong around the R32 Skyline GT-R, which established an enduring reputation in Australia after dominating local touring car racing and winning the Bathurst 1000 in 1991 and 1992. Only 100 R32 GT-Rs were officially sold here by Nissan Australia, GoAuto reported, but grey imports subsequently swelled the local population of R32, R33 and R34 models, creating a sizeable customer base for heritage parts and specialist technical support. CarExpert noted the R33 and R34 successors were not sold here new by Nissan, with the R34 arriving in 1999. ²³

Executive and dealership comment

Nismo global head Yutaka Sanada said the Australian opening represented an important milestone in the brand's international strategy. "The opening of the first Nismo Performance Centre outside Japan is an important milestone in our global expansion," he said. "Our focus is on 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," according to GoAuto and CarExpert, with Man of Many noting Sanada addressed the launch through a recorded message. ²³¹

Nissan Oceania director of sales and aftersales Michael Hill said the Melbourne opening demonstrated the strength of Australia's long-standing connection with Nissan performance models. "Nismo has always been about much more than performance, it is about the passion, authenticity and connection that surround Nissan's most iconic vehicles," he said, according to GoAuto, adding that the company was excited to bring Nismo's knowledge and expertise closer to Australian customers. ²

Ferntree Gully Nissan dealer principal Michael Banjanin said the new centre was a natural extension of the dealership's association with Nissan performance vehicles. "Having previously sold the GT-R, we've seen first-hand the passion these cars inspire," he said. "It's a privilege to now give that community a dedicated home through NISMO," according to GoAuto and Man of Many. ²¹

Expansion plans and global context

As previously reported by GoAuto, Australia was selected as the first international market for the Nismo Performance Centre concept, with Ferntree Gully Nissan nominated as the inaugural site and further locations planned across major capital cities from 2027. GoAuto reported the local network was expected to extend beyond Melbourne to Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, with Adelaide and Auckland also under consideration depending on demand. ²

Nissan Oceania managing director Steve Milette told Torquecafe that the level of anticipation for the centre reflected the love for Nissan's hero products in Australia, describing lots of anticipation and positive feedback ahead of a sold-out launch event on 4 October. He told the publication that dealers had put their hands up for other locations, and that the brand needed geographical representation while keeping the network tight. ⁴

The Australian initiative forms part of a much broader global expansion for Nismo, GoAuto reported, with additional Performance Centres planned for markets including the United States, Gulf states and the United Kingdom. At the same time, Nissan intends to double the number of road-going models developed by Nissan Motorsports & Customising from five to 10, with more of those vehicles destined for international markets. ²

Where the centre fits in Nissan's local range

Nissan says the Performance Centre program is intended primarily to support the existing enthusiast community rather than act as another showroom for new Nismo-badged road cars, according to GoAuto. The Z Nismo remains the only Nismo-badged new model on sale in Australia, with the Y63 Patrol Nismo offered overseas ruled out for local introduction, GoAuto reported, while Torquecafe said other Nismo products remain "under consideration" but not locked in. Man of Many noted the manual Nissan Z Nismo is priced from AUD$95,000 before on-road costs. ²⁴¹

Nissan Motorsports & Customising, the entity behind the expansion, was established in 2022 through the integration of Nissan's motorsport and customisation businesses, combining Nismo's racing and performance activities with Autech's vehicle customisation expertise, GoAuto reported. CarExpert likewise noted the 2022 combination of Nismo and Autech, and that Nismo itself was formed in 1984. ²³