Nissan is now offering its beefed-up factory-backed off-road-based Warrior trucks outside its originating Australian market for the first time, due to high popularity. After benefiting from strong sales and solid success in its original market down yonder, as well as a small expansion to the continent’s nearby neighbor of New Zealand, Nissan decided to broaden its market by offering the Warrior trucks in South Africa following heightened demand and interest. This marks the first time that Nissan Australia’s Warrior program has gone global, reaching other continents, proving its success in the market, and even opening up its potential for other regions.
In 2019, the Japanese automaker teamed up with Australia-based engineering firm, Premcar, to develop and build its “Warrior” program, which essentially creates special and more rugged versions of the Navara pickup and Patrol SUV (Frontier and Armada here in the States). In addition to being decked out with heavy-duty gear specifically aimed at four-wheeling enthusiasts, they all come with a factory-backed warranty.
Nissan Already Sold Over 12,000 Warrior Trucks In Aussieland To Date
Originally developed and destined specifically for the Australian market, news of the Warrior program spread across the world after the program’s launch six years ago with the Navara N-TREK Warrior. But after newer versions came out, including a couple of Patrol variants, they particularly grabbed the attention of the South African market to the point where Nissan saw potential for expansion. To meet the heightened demand beyond its shores, the Japanese automaker’s Australian division officially broadened the Warrior program’s reach for the first time, exemplifying its success.
Since going on sale down yonder, Nissan Australia reportedly sold 12,000 Warrior units, proving their popularity and concept in the market. And as a result, Nissan wants to keep the ball rolling. In fact, it’s so successful, Nissan Australia is even reportedly toying with a Warrior version of the Nissan Z sports car, filing trademarks for it and Warrior versions of the Qashqai, the X-Trail (our Rogue), and the Pathfinder.
“We launched the Warrior by Premcar program in 2019 with the Navara N-TREK Warrior, a vehicle that immediately resonated with our passionate Navara owners, and set new benchmarks for a locally enhanced ute in Australia,” Nissan Oceania’s Vice President & Managing Director, Andrew Humberstone, said in his official statement. “We then saw the international potential which was first realized with the introduction of the Navara N-TREK Warrior in New Zealand, sharing the same refinements as the Australian model. We’re thrilled to see this Australian initiative now launch in the South African market with the Navara PRO-4X Warrior. As any Warrior owner in Australia can attest, South African drivers are in for something special.”
The Warrior program consists of upgraded versions of the Navara pickup and the Patrol SUV, equipping them with beefed-up suspension, more aggressive exterior body appointments, grippier all-terrain tires with bespoke 17-inch wheels, widened wheel arches, and other accessories inspired by the rugged trucks built for cross-continental travel in the Australian wilderness.
Since the Warrior program launched, originally upgrading the Navara pickup and expanding to the Patrol, Nissan went even further and combined its new PRO-4X line with the Warrior program to create the ultimate Nissan off-roaders. As part of the expansion, Nissan Australia also assisted its partner, Premcar, to establish a South African division, specifically called, “Premcar South Africa,” to support the new sales venture.
Anyone remember when General Motors began picking from Holden’s parts bins? Heck, even our current Ford Ranger started life as an Australia-based model before making it stateside.
Although Nissan’s popularity for tough, rugged, and capable four-by-fours is the strongest in Australia, where the market truly needs them to get across some of the most desolate areas of the Outback, South Africans appreciated and sought them for use in their part of the world.
TopSpeed’s Take
Despite being specifically for those export markets, it’s no mystery that four-wheeling is a global hobby with fans and enthusiasts all over the world. And Nissan recently saw the potential for even more rugged and off-road-biased versions of pickups and SUVs here in North America, with other brands launching their own. Such examples include Jeep and its Rubicon models, Ford and its Raptor F-150 and Ranger models, and Chevy with its Colorado ZR2 Bison, and even Toyota with its TRD Pro line.
Nissan also jumped on the bandwagon with its new PRO-4X Frontier and Armada, which are basically North American versions of the Navara and Patrol. But if the off-roading and four-wheeling fad continues, there’s a possibility Nissan could bring its Warrior trucks to the States, should the demand exist.
It also wouldn’t be the first time the North American market received some specialty items from down yonder. Anyone remember when General Motors began picking from Holden’s parts bins? Heck, even our current Ford Ranger started life as an Australia-based model before making it stateside.
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