Nissan Launches Navara Pickup Truck Production in China

Nissan Motor Co. has begun assembling its next-generation Navara midsize pickup truck in China through its Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co. venture. The truck will go on sale in June.

Nissan—the only global carmaker that makes pickups in China—also produces the Navara in Spain, Mexico and Argentina. The truck is marketed in North America as the Nissan Frontier. The Navara’s chassis is shared by the Renault Alaskan and Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickups.

Pickup trucks account for only 2% of China’s passenger car market. But last year sales grew 11% to 350,000 units after the central government eased bans on the use of such vehicles in central cities. Now pickups that meet car emission standards are allowed in cities in the provinces of Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Liaoning and Yunnan.

Nissan currently controls about 10% of China’s pickup truck market. The segment is dominated by Great Wall Motors and Jiangling Motors.

But other overseas truck builders are testing the market. Late last year Ford Motor Co. began shipping a small number of its F-150 Raptor off-road pickup truck to China. Next year the company will expand the test by importing its Ranger midsize pickup.

General Motors Co. says it will do the same later this year as it begins importing relatively small numbers of U.S.-built midsize Chevrolet Colorado and fullsize Silverado trucks to China.