Nissan to use Navara name for new Chinese-made hybrid ute

Nissan has announced it will use the Navara nameplate for its upcoming Navara Pro PHEV, a plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute. Although the new model is mechanically unrelated to the existing turbo-diesel Navara, the company intends to leverage the established brand recognition of the name in certain markets.

The Navara Pro PHEV is a product of a joint venture between Nissan and Chinese automaker Dongfeng. Based on the Dongfeng Z9 platform, the vehicle combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 300kW and 800Nm. While the vehicle is sold as the Frontier Pro PHEV in China, Nissan Oceania boss Steve Milette stated that the decision to use the Navara name in other markets is driven by the brand equity the nameplate has built, particularly in Australia where over 425,000 units have been sold since 1986.