Nissan is opening Nismo Performance Centers outside of Japan for the first time. Australia, one of the largest global markets for classic Skyline GT-R, unexpectedly became the first country for global expansion.

The first center will open in the second half of 2026 near Melbourne, at the Nissan Ferntree Gully dealership. The main difference from a regular service is direct integration with the legendary Omori Factory in Japan, where Nismo has been engaged in factory restorations of GT-Rs for decades.

The new centers will primarily service the iconic Skyline GT-R generations R32, R33, and R34. Owners will be offered original heritage parts, factory restoration programs, RB26 assembly, and the work of certified Nismo Meisters – craftsmen trained in Japan.

The choice of Australia is not accidental. According to Nissan, about 36% of all produced R34 GT-Rs and approximately 20% of R33s ended up there. Unlike the USA, many Skylines were officially sold new there, not just imported as “grey market” cars.

For Nissan, this is not just a service project. The company is effectively trying to turn its own heritage into a full-fledged business. The market for restoration and factory refurbishment of sports cars is growing rapidly, and the value of classic GT-Rs has long exceeded the prices of many new supercars. Some fully restored R32s from Nismo are now valued at almost $400,000 (28.5 million rubles).

Another interesting point: amidst mass electrification, Nissan is investing not only in future EVs but also in preserving gasoline icons of the 1990s. While many brands are winding down support for older models, Nismo is turning classic GT-Rs into part of a modern business strategy.

And this is no longer just nostalgia. For automakers, the heritage direction is gradually becoming as important an image tool as new technologies or motorsports.