Body-on frame Nissan SUV on the cards for South Africa

Prospects are favourable for a Navara-based SUV to become available

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Nissan has indicated that its body-on frame challenger to the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everst, Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, the Terra, could very well come to South Africa once local production of the Navara kicks-off next year.

This, according to Nissan South Africa Media Relations Manager Veralda Schmidt, who, despite not mentioning the Terra by name outright, confirmed to The Citizen on the side-lines of the unveiling of the Datsun Go CVT last week that prospects are favourable for a Navara-based SUV to become available in the coming years.

At present, the Terra, which debuted last year, is only offered in select Asian markets using the same 2.3-litre twin-turbodiesel engine as the Navara in Thailand, the previous generation D40 Navara’s 2.5-litre YD25DDTI oil-burner in the Philippines and a 2.5-litre petrol motor in China.

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Schmidt however stated that initial focus will be placed on Navara production at its Rosslyn Plant outside Pretoria, following Nissan’s announcement in April that it will invest R3-billion into the facility for manufacturing of the next generation pick-up.

“You will see many activities at our plant over the next 18 to 21 months. Once we have established [Navara production], the chances are very good that there might be a Navara-based SUV available to our market, however, we first have to finish our plant and get our Navaras built before building other products,” Schmidt said.

In a departure from the current Navara, Schmidt are confirmed that the next generation will continue to be offered in double cab bodystyle, but also a single cab for the first time after the discontinuing of the King Cab option when the D40 ended production five years ago.

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At the same event, Nissan South Africa Marketing Director Kabelo Rabotho also confirmed that the automaker has no plans afoot to bring the Titan to market in spite of Australia’s on-going push for it to be made in right-hand-drive.

“The decision to bring any vehicle is always based on economics. If the economics are right then the decision will be made, but at present, there is no indication [of the Titan] coming to South Africa,” Rabotho said.