More Chinese-made models for Nissan line-up

NISSAN will lean heavily on China for its upcoming model range, but the brand’s most senior product boss says it is also crucial to get the balance right for Australia.

A largely rethought range of vehicles – with electric and electrified vehicles sourced from China – is set to take centre stage for the brand as it rebuilds towards 2030.

The models are expected to include the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid petrol pick-up truck, a newly confirmed large SUV based on the same platform, as well as electric SUV to sit in juxtaposition to the swoopy Ariya EV from Japan.

That’s in addition to an e-Power-only new-gen X-Trail range, due in Australia by the end of 2027.

Richard Candler, Nissan corporate executive for family, product and component strategy, says it is his job to make sure the Japanese brand gets it right in Australia.

In fact, on a recent trip Down Under, Mr Candler said he was surprised that he did not see more Nissans on the road.

“We have quite a decent heritage,” he said of the brand’s legacy status in Australia.

“I didn’t really understand why we are not stronger.

“I sort of felt like we could do more in Australia. It’s my ambition now to see what we can do to make Australia a bit stronger.”

Currently, Nissan sits outside the top 10 brands in our market, with Chinese makes like BYD, Chery, and MG Motor displacing former go-to brands such as Nissan.

But Nissan has a strong partnership network and is likely to lean on its Chinese coalition with Dongfeng to meet the market with products that are currently in demand.

One such vehicle is the Nissan NX8, codeveloped with Dongfeng, and available with plug-in hybrid and full EV powertrain choices.

The large five-seat electrified SUV is expected to hit our shores by the end of 2027, if confirmed.

Likewise, Nissan might look to add an electric sedan – the N7 – to its mix, essentially filling a gap left open in the company’s range for almost a decade, since the Altima finished up.

“I see broad potential for NX8, for sure,” Mr Candler told GoAuto.

“This is one of the priority cars that we will take on a broad global axis, for sure.

“We are discussing with the teams at the moment about how we do that.

“But really what we have confirmed already was the N7 and the Frontier Pro, we have confirmed some markets for both of those products, they are the front runners.

“The NX8 will come shortly after those cars as well. (But) because it’s so new, it hasn’t quite got to that point yet.”

The Frontier Pro, which may be marketed under a different name in Australia to help it better align with the brand’s existing Navara ute range, is a plug-in hybrid pick-up truck, about 5500mm in length and with a feature-rich specification list that includes pop-out side-steps, an electric tailgate cover and even a pop-out step under the tub.

“The good news is that China goes quickly,” said Mr Candler.

“I think once we have finalised the business case, we can bring these things (to market) quite quickly.

“In the case of the sort of Frontier Pro / Navara Pro type product, right-hand drive is one thing that we need to work through.

“The second is probably powertrain – Australian requirements for powertrain are a bit more severe.

“We need good towing, we need off-road capability, those sorts of things … and this is something we need to look at on that product to make sure it is capable.”

Mr Candler said the Frontier Pro is also likely to see a spin-off large SUV, which may form a mid-point between the X-Trail and Patrol within Nissan’s Australian portfolio.

“On the SUV, that’s somehow already designed in from the base,” he noted.

“We got to that product, and it is sort of a dedicated product for us, basically for export.

“It presents a very good opportunity (but) give me a few more months (before details are announced).

Mr Candler also confirmed that vehicles from China have been sent out for local testing and validation, to see precisely what needs to be changed to give them their best chance in our highly competitive market.

“My team have tested these cars in Australia already and made recommendations for tuning,” he stated.

“Obviously, what’s good for China is not necessarily directly transferable…

“We know the requirements for Australia, the team know (these) very well. They are driving these cars in Australia and understanding exactly what those requirements will be.”

It seems clear that Mr Candler and Nissan execs know what isn’t working…

The already axed Pathfinder and Juke models are a clear indication of that – and leave a showroom void that may years to fill.

But Nissan isn’t abandoning its large SUV intentions anytime soon.

A new Patrol is just months away, and an additional, Chinese-made Pathfinder replacement also is on the cards.

Beyond that, a small SUV, below the Qashqai, could be part of the plan, with Mr Candler suggesting that a freshened version of the Kicks compact crossover has potential – if it is priced right.

“I think we’re in a position of restructuring what the portfolio is going to look like for the next stage for Australia (and) I think Kicks could be an option for sure. We have a lot of global industrialisation of Kicks,” he said, referring to the multiple points of production for the small SUV, which is offered in a few different iterations around the world.

“That is one of the great things (about the Nissan brand). We have a few different options we could look at for sure.”

The Kicks is available in right-hand drive, and with e-Power hybrid tech, and would offer Nissan an alternative to the Toyota Yaris Cross, Kia Stonic, and MG ZS.

Furthermore, and while the company made it clear that the all-new Nissan Juke is designed for the European market and built in the UK, it could possibly still form part of the line-up, if the desire for a smaller electric model is evident.

Mr Candler explained that product sourcing makes it a harder case, but the door is not firmly shut on the new Juke…

“Europe is still trying to hold on to its industry. That pushes us in certain ways, structurally as well. I’m not saying we wouldn’t bring Juke,” he said.

“We could certainly discuss it. Shipping it around the world and then the foreign exchange to Aussie dollars. It’s quite complex these days.”