Why Nissan chose the Navara name for its new Chinese-made hybrid ute

The upcoming Nissan Navara Pro PHEV (plug-in hybrid) shares next to nothing with its turbo-diesel namesake, but that hasn't stopped the Japanese automaker from capitalising on the familiar nameplate.

Sold in China as the Frontier Pro PHEV, the Navara Pro PHEV dual-cab will join the Mitsubishi Triton-based D27-series Navara in local Nissan showrooms next year, with Nissan Oceania boss Steve Milette citing brand recognition as the reason for the overlap.

"There was consideration given to Frontier, but in our market, there's equity in the Navara brand name," Mr Milette told CarExpert.

"It's the same brand, it's the same DNA. It's Navara Pro PHEV.

"For us, it was about how we leverage the brand power that's already established in the ute segment. So we chose to go with Navara, and you'll see this globally.

"Markets that had Frontier continue with Frontier, while markets that had Navara continue with Navara Pro."

The Navara nameplate made its Australia debut in 1986, with the D21-series model arriving as a replacement for the Datsun 720.

Since then, Nissan has sold more than 425,000 examples Down Under, cementing the Navara's status as a mainstay of the local ute market.

However, the decision to introduce the mechanically unrelated Navara Pro PHEV under the same nameplate could create confusion among buyers, particularly given the existence of the diesel-powered Navara Pro-4X variant.

While the D27 Navara shares its underpinnings and 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine with the aforementioned Mitsubishi, the Navara Pro PHEV is the product of a joint venture between Nissan and Chinese automaker Dongfeng.

Based on the same platform as the Dongfeng Z9, the electrified ute combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, producing combined outputs of 300kW and 800Nm.

Think of it as a direct rival to the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, rather than a conventional diesel ute like the Toyota HiLux.

The Frontier Pro PHEV was launched in China late last year, with export sales scheduled to commence in Mexico this month. Other Latin American markets will follow by the end of 2026.

The electrified dual-cab will also be launched as the Navara Pro in the Philippines and the Middle East this year, followed by the first right-hand drive markets, Australia and New Zealand, in 2027.

MORE: 2027 Nissan Navara Pro PHEV ute confirmed for Australia with 300kW and 800Nm