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Nissan’s New Global Play Starts in China with a Hybrid Pickup and an Electric Sedan

The Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid and Primera EV signal a new export strategy as Nissan turns China into a launchpad for its next generation of global products.

For decades, Japanese automakers exported vehicles from home markets to the rest of the world. Nissan is now turning that formula on its head.

At the 10th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), Nissan officially launched its new “From China” export strategy, revealing two all-new models destined for markets beyond China: the Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid pickup and the Primera EV sedan. While full technical specifications remain under wraps, the significance of these vehicles extends far beyond their individual product stories.

The unveiling marks the first visible step in Nissan’s plan to leverage China not only as one of the world’s largest automotive markets, but also as a critical development and export hub for future global products.

A New Electrified Chapter for the Navara

Leading the charge is the all-new Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid, a pickup that aims to blend Nissan’s long-established off-road credentials with electrified performance.

From the first images, the truck adopts a muscular, upright stance that leaves little doubt about its intended mission. The styling is unapologetically tough, with bold surfacing and a commanding presence designed to appeal equally to commercial users and lifestyle-focused buyers.

More importantly, the introduction of a plug-in hybrid powertrain represents a major shift for Nissan’s pickup lineup. As emissions regulations tighten and consumer expectations evolve, electrification is increasingly making its way into segments once considered immune to the trend. The Navara Pro appears to be Nissan’s answer to that reality.

Although power, battery capacity, and electric range figures have yet to be announced, Nissan describes the model as combining its 4×4 heritage with electrified capability—suggesting that efficiency gains won’t come at the expense of utility.

The Primera Name Returns—This Time as an EV

Sharing the spotlight was the all-new Primera EV, reviving one of Nissan’s most recognizable passenger-car nameplates for the electric era.

Gone is the practical family sedan of the 1990s and early 2000s. In its place is a sleek, technology-focused electric sedan designed to compete in a rapidly expanding segment where connectivity and digital experiences are becoming as important as horsepower and handling.

Nissan says the Primera EV emphasizes premium comfort, advanced cabin technology, and enhanced connectivity. The exterior follows contemporary EV design trends, featuring clean surfaces and a streamlined silhouette aimed at maximizing both aerodynamic efficiency and visual sophistication.

While details regarding battery size, driving range, and performance remain undisclosed, the Primera’s positioning suggests Nissan sees it as more than a mainstream commuter. Instead, it appears intended to showcase the company’s next-generation approach to premium electric mobility.

Why China Matters

The real story behind both vehicles may be where they come from.

Nissan confirmed earlier this year that China would play a central role in its future product strategy, serving as both a development center and an export base for vehicles destined for international markets. The Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid and Primera EV are the first tangible evidence of that plan.

The move reflects the growing influence of China’s automotive industry, which has rapidly become one of the world’s leading sources of EV technology, battery development, software integration, and manufacturing efficiency. For global manufacturers, leveraging those strengths has become increasingly important in the race to remain competitive.

“As a lead market, China plays a dual role for Nissan, both as a strong market in its own right and a critical source of global competitiveness,” said Guillaume Cartier, Nissan’s chief performance officer. “This unveiling signals the beginning of our ‘From China’ export strategy.”

Nissan isn’t simply introducing two new vehicles. It’s introducing a new way of building and exporting them.

The Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid demonstrates how electrification is reaching even traditionally conservative vehicle categories, while the Primera EV signals Nissan’s intent to compete more aggressively in the global electric sedan market. Together, they represent the opening chapter of a broader product offensive that will see China-developed vehicles reaching customers far beyond Chinese borders.

For Nissan, success will ultimately depend on how competitive these models prove once the specifications are revealed and the vehicles reach showrooms. But one thing is already clear: the company’s next generation of global products won’t necessarily be engineered in Japan first.

Increasingly, they’ll be born in China and exported to the world.

Source: Nissan

SOCIAL MEDIA

Dealer-Built Nissan Sentra SE RS Revives Tuner Spirit with NISMO Flavor

The redesigned Nissan Sentra arrived last year with sharper looks, more tech, and a clear ambition to feel a class above its predecessors. Mission mostly accomplished—at least if your definition of progress includes a continuously variable transmission and a 149-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that treats excitement like an optional extra it forgot to order.

But not everyone is content to let the Sentra live out its days as a sensible commuter. Over in Scottsdale, Arizona, Pinnacle Nissan has decided that what the compact sedan really needs is a dose of tuner-era attitude. Enter the Sentra SE RS—short for Special Edition Rally Sport—a NISMO-inspired, dealer-built special that aims to inject some badly needed personality into Nissan’s bread-and-butter sedan.

The SE RS isn’t a factory-backed halo car, but it’s more than a sticker-and-spoiler special. Developed in-house, the package is meant to celebrate Nissan’s performance heritage, promote genuine NISMO components, and rekindle the early-2000s tuner spirit—when bolt-ons were king and enthusiasm mattered more than lap times.

The upgrades are exactly what you’d want if you were building a Sentra in your garage circa 2004, only with a warranty-friendly twist. A cat-back exhaust adds some much-needed soundtrack, while a coil-over suspension promises sharper responses and a more purposeful stance. Lightweight wheels complete the mechanical makeover, with exterior graphics and bespoke interior accents signaling that this Sentra isn’t here to quietly blend into the rental-car lot.

Power, however, remains unchanged. The familiar naturally aspirated four-cylinder and CVT carry on as before, which means the SE RS is more about style and handling than outright speed. Still, that hasn’t stopped Pinnacle Nissan from dreaming bigger.

To drum up attention for the SE RS, the dealership has announced plans for something far more ambitious: a turbocharged 2026 Sentra with a manual transmission, destined for the SEMA Show. Yes, a manual. In a Sentra. In 2026. Even if it never reaches production, the fact that someone is building it at all feels like a small victory for enthusiasts everywhere.

The Sentra program is being led by Nick “NISMO Nick” Scherr, best known for last year’s Xterra-based Project X. And he’s not stopping with compact sedans. Two additional builds are already in the pipeline for SEMA 2026, both based on the old body-on-frame Pathfinder.

The first, dubbed the Pathfinder Remix, leans into retro-modern reinterpretation. It’ll retain the rugged underpinnings of the original SUV but bring them into the present with updated hardware and—because subtlety is overrated—a V8 under the hood.

The second build, Trackfinder, takes a more aggressive approach. Inspired by NISMO’s performance ethos, this Pathfinder is slated to be lower, wider, and far more track-focused than any Pathfinder has a right to be. Expect significant chassis and aerodynamic work, capped off by a supercharged engine that ensures this family SUV won’t be mistaken for a mall crawler.

For those who want to watch the madness unfold, Scherr is documenting the builds on his YouTube channel. Whether any of these ideas influence future production Nissans is anyone’s guess—but in an era where enthusiasm often takes a back seat to efficiency metrics, it’s refreshing to see a dealership reminding us that cars can still be built for fun.

Even if it starts with a Sentra.

Source: Nismo Nick via YouTube

CONCEPT CARS

Nissan Aura NISMO RS Concept: A Hot Hatch with Motorsport DNA

At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC) dropped a bold new vision of electrified performance: the Aura NISMO RS Concept. This high-performance hatchback takes the already spirited Aura NISMO and cranks up the aggression—stylistically and mechanically—while borrowing tech from Nissan’s X‑Trail NISMO e‑POWER system.

The RS Concept is more than just a styling exercise. Designed as a technical validation platform, it merges mass-production know-how with NISMO’s racing pedigree, hinting at a potential production future for a halo hot hatch that’s unapologetically performance-focused.

Muscle Meets Aerodynamics

Visually, the Aura NISMO RS Concept is a departure from its city-focused predecessor. Its fenders are 145 mm wider, and the ride height drops 20 mm, giving the car a more planted, aggressive stance. Aerodynamic additions include a front spoiler, side skirts, a rear diffuser accented in NISMO red, airflow-optimized fenders, and a rear spoiler—all aimed at increasing downforce and reducing drag. A Dark Matte NISMO Stealth Gray finish completes the look, keeping reflections consistent no matter the sun’s angle.

“The exterior expresses a more muscular, performance-driven character while staying true to the Aura’s agile roots,” Nissan notes, emphasizing that the design is purpose-built, not just for show.

Powertrain and Performance

Where the RS Concept truly impresses is under the hood—or more accurately, under the body. The car uses the Aura NISMO’s lightweight chassis combined with the X‑Trail NISMO’s high-output e‑POWER series hybrid system, a setup designed to inject immediate torque and sharper throttle response. The front BM46 motor produces 150 kW and 330 Nm, while the rear MM48 motor adds 100 kW and 195 Nm, supplemented by a 1.5-liter KR15DDT range-extending engine generating 106 kW.

That combination, paired with NISMO’s e‑4ORCE all-wheel control, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, and a wider stance, promises confident handling on twisty roads, with braking duties handled by four-pot front and two-pot rear calipers. Despite gaining roughly 100 kg over the standard Aura NISMO, the car aims to remain nimble, thanks to the thoughtful integration of motorsports-derived engineering.

A Glimpse at the Numbers

  • Length: 4,262 mm (+142 mm)
  • Width: 1,880 mm (+145 mm)
  • Height: 1,485 mm (-20 mm)
  • Weight: 1,490 kg (+100 kg)
  • Wheelbase: 2,580 mm
  • Wheels/Tires: NISMO LM GT4 18×9.0J / 245/45R18

Inside, details remain scarce, but Nissan has emphasized that every enhancement—down to suspension tuning—has been refined with both road and potential racing use in mind.

Looking Forward

“Under our Re:Nissan strategy, we are committed to introducing heartbeat models at speed that resonate with customers,” said Yutaka Sanada, president and CEO of NMC. “The Aura NISMO RS Concept is our first offering born from our collective NMC expertise.”

While Nissan has not confirmed production plans, the RS Concept stands as a clear statement: electrified hot hatches with genuine performance credentials are on the horizon. And if the technical wizardry packed into this prototype makes it to a showroom, it could mark the arrival of a truly thrilling NISMO for the EV era.

Source: Nissan