Nissan Australia Marks 60 Years with Navara PHEV Debut

Nissan Australia marked 60 years since its establishment on September 6, 1966, with an anniversary event held on October 24, 2026, at its headquarters in Mulgrave, Victoria. Announced on October 26, the milestone recognizes the company's longstanding presence in the Australian automotive market, where it has delivered more than 2 million Nissan and Datsun vehicles to customers since 1966. The anniversary also highlights the company's manufacturing history, including local vehicle production between 1976 and 1992, alongside the continuing operations of the Nissan Casting Australia Plant, which manufactures components for Nissan vehicles and exports parts to overseas production facilities.

A key highlight of the anniversary event was the Australian public debut of the all-new Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), expected to reach showrooms in 2027. The model will become Nissan Australia's first plug-in hybrid vehicle and the brand's first globally electrified ute. The Oceania-specification version combines a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offers a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kg and a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg, although both figures remain subject to final homologation.

The anniversary also coincides with preparations for the arrival of the all-new Nissan Patrol in Australia. The first right-hand-drive units destined for the Australian market have been produced, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. On October 13, Nissan announced that production of the new Patrol had commenced at its Nissan Shatai Kyushu plant in Japan. The development marks another step towards introducing the latest-generation model to Australian customers, with the initial right-hand-drive vehicles allocated for the market.

Nissan has also expanded its performance-focused presence in Australia through the opening of its first NISMO Performance Centre outside Japan. The facility opened in Victoria on October 5, establishing a dedicated presence for the brand's NISMO performance operations beyond its home market. Further NISMO Performance Centres are planned across Australia from 2027 as part of a phased rollout. Together, the anniversary celebrations, upcoming electrified ute, new Patrol preparations and performance-centre expansion highlight several developments across Nissan's Australian business.

Industry Impact & Outlook

Nissan Australia's 60-year milestone illustrates the company's established position in the country's automotive market, supported by vehicle sales, a historical local manufacturing presence and continuing component production. The upcoming Navara Pro PHEV introduces plug-in hybrid technology to Nissan's Australian ute lineup while retaining specified payload and towing capabilities, subject to final homologation. Meanwhile, the planned Patrol deliveries indicate continued investment in the Australian market, and the NISMO Performance Centre rollout extends Nissan's performance-focused operations beyond Japan. These developments collectively demonstrate activity across electrification, vehicle distribution, component manufacturing and specialist automotive services.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Nissan Australia celebrate its 60th anniversary?
Nissan Australia celebrated its 60th anniversary with an event on October 24, 2026, at its headquarters in Mulgrave, Victoria. The milestone marks the company's establishment on September 6, 1966. The anniversary was announced on October 26, 2026. Over six decades, Nissan and Datsun have delivered more than 2 million vehicles to Australian customers. The occasion also recognized the company's manufacturing history, including local vehicle production from 1976 to 1992 and the continuing component manufacturing operations of the Nissan Casting Australia Plant.

What is the Nissan Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid?
The Nissan Navara Pro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is an upcoming electrified ute that made its Australian public debut during Nissan Australia's 60th anniversary event. Expected to reach showrooms in 2027, it will be Nissan Australia's first plug-in hybrid vehicle and the brand's first globally electrified ute. The Oceania-specification model combines a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its introduction represents a new electrified offering within Nissan's Australian vehicle lineup.

What are the Navara Pro PHEV's payload and towing capacities?
The Oceania-specification Nissan Navara Pro PHEV has a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kg and a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg. These specifications were highlighted during the model's Australian public debut at Nissan Australia's 60th anniversary event. However, both figures remain subject to final homologation. The vehicle combines a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. The model is expected to reach Australian showrooms in 2027.

When will the new Nissan Patrol arrive in Australia?
Customer deliveries of the all-new Nissan Patrol in Australia are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The first right-hand-drive units destined for the Australian market have been produced. Nissan announced on October 13, 2026, that production had commenced at its Nissan Shatai Kyushu plant in Japan. This production milestone precedes the planned Australian customer deliveries and forms part of the company's upcoming vehicle developments in the market.

Where did Nissan open its first NISMO Performance Centre outside Japan?
Nissan opened its first NISMO Performance Centre outside Japan in Victoria, Australia, on October 5, 2026. The facility represents an expansion of Nissan's NISMO performance-centre presence beyond its home market. The company also plans to establish additional NISMO Performance Centres across Australia from 2027 through a phased rollout. The expansion forms part of Nissan's broader Australian activities, which also include the upcoming Navara Pro PHEV and preparations for the arrival of the all-new Patrol.