Nissan could make Nismo parts in Australia

Parts for Nissan’s Nismo division could be made in Australia at the automaker’s Dandenong casting facility according to the performance arm's global boss, Yutaka Sanada.

Speaking at the announcement of Australia’s first Nismo Performance Centre – also one of the first outside Japan – due to open later this year in Melbourne, Sanada-san told media the enthusiast division was actively seeking local partners.

“I know [there is] a lot of high-end engineering knowledge here in Australia, so I want [Nismo] to collaborate wider, partner in Australia,” Sanada-san told media, including CarExpert.

“Especially in Australia … [there is] really amazing, advanced technology here in Australia. It is my very, very firm impression.”

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When asked whether this could include the automaker’s own Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP), the Nismo boss said such a move was possible.

“Why not? This idea … I was once in charge of NCAP. I came to NCAP, so I know the quality focus of NCAP colleagues,” he said.

“NCAP is a very unique facility; they are supplying aluminium dedicated parts worldwide. Our global Nissan battery mission is supported by NCAP as matter of fact, so in this context, obviously there is potential.”

This move could include components and ‘heritage’ parts for classic Nissan sports cars, with the Melbourne Nismo Performance Centre initially focusing on R32, R33 and R34 Skyline models, which have a significant local following.

Nissan Australia opened the Dandenong site in Melbourne’s southeast in 1982. It currently employs just under 200 staff producing parts for global Nissan and Renault models as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

The plant pivoted to high-value electric and hybrid components as a way of future-proofing itself following a $4.2 million upgrade in 2024, and currently produces parts for the Nissan Leaf and Renault 5 – the latter not sold in Australia – among others.

It also produces factory-fitted tow bars for the latest Nissan Navara ute and the upcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol, with many parts including a kangaroo stamping as a nod to their Australian origin.

While factory-owned, the plant must outbid external suppliers on quality and value to win business, even within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

The comments come days after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia could revive its car manufacturing industry given advances in technology, suggesting parts manufacturing would be a logical starting point.

Nissan Australia already has a strong collaborative partnership with local engineering firm Premcar, which developed the suspension package for the first Navara Warrior in 2019 from its Victorian base.

It has since developed the Patrol Warrior and extended its chassis-tuning expertise across the broader Navara lineup introduced to Australian showrooms earlier this year.

Nissan Oceania managing director Steve Milette took over the top job in April 2026 and, speaking at the same Nismo event as Sanada-san, said the automaker’s relationship with Premcar remains strong.

“I think it's done well,” he replied when asked about the collaboration.

“I mean, when I look at today the Y62 Patrol [Warrior] and the level of engagement of our dealers and customers vis-à-vis the product, it does quite well.

“And then D23 Navara, that's now over, but the Warrior version of it was fantastic. I think it elevated the brand for sure, so I see that's a very positive relationship.”

Speaking at the launch of another Premcar-tuned model, the Mitsubishi Triton Raider, earlier this year, Premcar boss Bernie Quinn told CarExpert:

“I think what we’ve proven – when you create a halo model, it not only gives you those incremental sales, but it also brings up [overall] sales – there’s so much data that shows [this].”

A new-generation Navara Warrior is scheduled to join the Navara lineup later this year and, while not officially confirmed, a Warrior version of the next-generation Y63 Patrol is expected to follow.

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