Nissan Australia has confirmed plans to import several more new China-sourced models in the coming years.
The plug-in hybrid Nissan Navara Pro PHEV dual-cab ute is already locked in for a 2027 local launch, and Nissan Oceania boss Steve Milette says further Chinese-developed models are headed Down Under.
Potential candidates include the N7 sedan, NX7 SUV, NX8 SUV, and a production version of the Terrano PHEV concept – all products of the Japanese automaker’s joint venture with Dongfeng.
“Today is the first of more to come,” Mr Milette told CarExpert following the reveal of the Navara Pro PHEV.
“We can’t confirm which ones are next on the docket, but definitely there are more to come.
“We’re looking at all of them, and they’re all individual business cases. They may not all make it to market, but we are looking at the vast majority of those models to determine whether they fit this market, whether there’s a positive business case, and when we can bring them in.”
The fully electric N7 large sedan and electrified NX8 mid-to-large SUV are already available in China, while the slightly smaller NX7 plug-in hybrid SUV is set to go on sale there later this year.
The Terrano PHEV – a large plug-in hybrid off-road SUV comparable to the Denza B8 – has been spied testing ahead of its expected launch in China by April 2027.
Nissan joins a growing list of established automakers to source models from Chinese partners in a bid to compete with emerging brands from the world’s largest automotive market.
Mazda Australia is an obvious point of comparison, having recently launched the mid-size 6e electric liftback and CX-6e electric SUV, both products of its joint venture with China’s Changan Automobile.
Similarly, Ford Australia has locked in the Bronco Basecamp and Transit City – both sourced from Chinese partner Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) – for local launches.
Other automakers are instead shifting production of vehicles developed in-house to China in a bid to reduce costs.
While many of these arrangements are relatively recent, Nissan’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group – the smallest of China’s ‘big four’ automakers – dates back to 2003.
In addition to its growing lineup of China-sourced models, Nissan Australia is preparing to launch the highly anticipated Y63-series Patrol, with deliveries of the twin-turbo V6-powered large off-road SUV due to commence in the first quarter (January to March) of 2027.
“We’ve got Y63 about to launch… [then] new Navara Pro PHEV, so I do feel that the future is bright for Nissan here,” concluded Mr Milette.
