Australia’s passion for NISMO performance and Nissan heritage has entered a new era, after enthusiasts and fans gathered at Ferntree Gully Nissan on Sunday to celebrate the official opening of Australia’s first NISMO Performance Centre.
As part of the global expansion of the NISMO brand, the opening represents an important step in bringing NISMO products, services, technical expertise and customer experiences closer to performance and heritage communities in priority markets around the world. It is also the first milestone in the multi-phase Australian expansion announced in May Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC) and Nissan Oceania.
Located within Ferntree Gully Nissan in, Victoria, the new NISMO Performance Centre Melbourne establishes a direct connection between Australian customers and NISMO’s Omori Factory in Japan. It will support advanced vehicle restoration programs, provide access to authentic NISMO performance and heritage parts, and feature factory-certified NISMO Meisters backed NISMO’s global expertise.
Joining the opening through a recorded message, Yutaka Sanada, global head of the NISMO brand, said: “The opening of the first NISMO Performance Centre outside Japan is an important milestone in our global expansion.
“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.”
Michael Hill, Director of Sales and Aftersales, Nissan Oceania said “NISMO has always been about much more than performance — it is about the passion, authenticity and connection that surround Nissan’s most iconic vehicles,”
“Seeing the local enthusiast community come together to celebrate the opening is a great reflection of that passion. We’re excited to bring the knowledge and expertise of NISMO closer to Australian customers and to strengthen the connection between NISMO’s Japanese heritage and Australia’s passionate performance community.”
The Australian program is designed to enhance local access to the wider NISMO ecosystem, spanning performance parts and accessories, heritage support, technical expertise, restoration and customer experiences.
The NISMO Performance Centre will play a central role in that strategy, providing Australian enthusiasts with a local point of access to the expertise developed through NISMO’s motorsport and performance operations in Japan.
For owners of Nissan’s most iconic performance vehicles, the centre will also provide a pathway into NISMO’s growing global heritage and restoration activities.
Michael Banjanin, Dealer Principal, Ferntree Gully Nissan, said the opening was a natural extension of the dealership’s long-standing connection with Nissan performance.
“Having previously sold the GT-R, we’ve seen first-hand the passion these cars inspire. It’s a privilege to now give that community a dedicated home through NISMO.”
In December 2025, NISMO announced plans to significantly expand its global restoration, restomod and parts businesses, initially focusing on the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, R33 and R34, with additional vehicles and regional programs to follow.
The strategy forms part of a broader evolution of the NISMO brand, including expansion into new markets and segments, growth of its model line-up and a renewed focus on bringing Nissan’s long-established “track to road” philosophy to customers.
Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co., Ltd. (NMC) was established in 2022 through the integration of Nissan’s motorsports and customization subsidiaries, bringing together NISMO’s performance and motorsports expertise with AUTECH’s customization capabilities.
For Australia, the opening of the NISMO Performance Centre Melbourne, at Ferntree Gully Nissan, represents the beginning of the next chapter — connecting a globally recognised performance brand with a local community with a passion that has helped make Nissan’s performance heritage what it is today.
