Nissan NP300 Will Span Renault, Mercedes Variants, Argentinian Plant

by Derek Kreindler

April 8th, 2015 10:22 AM

nissan np300 will span renault mercedes variants argentinian plant

Nissan’s new Navara pickup will spawn variants for both Renault and Mercedes-Benz, with the three trucks likely to be built at a new plant in Argentina.

The new trucks are said to be based on the all-new D23 trucks, which will form the basis for the new global Navara pickup. While the D23 will also play a part in the development of our next-generation Frontier, the architecture will require substantial re-working to be compliant with our FMVSS regulations. As it stands now, the D23 would not come close to passing U.S. crash tests, making it unlikely that we’ll see the M-B pickups on our shores.

#Mercedes-Benz #Nissan #PickupTrucks #Renault

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18 comments

Wstarvingteacher on Apr 08, 2015

What a surprise that it won't be sold here. It takes a trip out of the country to get a good grasp of all that we are missing. I normally come back with an assorted batch of mechanical desires.

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- Corey Lewis on Apr 08, 2015
  
  I don't like this MB-Nissan mix-n-match they're doing now. Nissan has enough problems with Renault associations. You're gonna end up with Mercedes with a rumbling VQ and Nissans with electrical issues.
  
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- RobertRyan on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @wstarvingteacher, Have been around the U.S. several times. Yes I know what you mean a lot of "nice toys" do not exist. If you can keep them out by artificial means, then the demand wil not be there
  
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- Sigivald on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Now? They've been doing that with the Citan since 2012, on the Renault side. Doesn't seem to have hurt anything, or affected any products other than ... the Citan.
  
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- Big Al from Oz on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @CoreyDL, I don't think your comment is quite to the truth. MB will use the chassis and body of the Nissan. MB will use their own driven train and engine. The suspension will also be Nissan. The coil sprung Navara is supposed to ride as well as a Maxima, this is with a 2 500lb payload and a 7 800lb tow. This is what MB want. Also their connection with the Renault/Nissan Alliance allows them to circumvent much design and development for a good chassis. I see this as a win for MB. The sharing of the vehicle also reduces the risk for Renault and Nissan.
  
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- Beerboy12 on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Nissan has problems with Renault? The alliance, where Renault has a controlling interest and the companies share a CEO, is possible the most successful ever. Both companies have benefited massively and are, combined the 4th biggest auto group. I have not heard or read there are any issues, perhaps you can enlighten me?
  
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- Highdesertcat on Apr 08, 2015
  
  Beerboy12, there's a lot going in truckdom. It is a very lucrative chunk of the market. Even GM knows it. This from Automotive News, "GM is mulling a $1.3 billion expansion of its Arlington, Texas, assembly plant to boost production of SUVs, according to documents from the city. The company says the investment would fund improvements aimed at enhancing the factory's manufacturing capability. " They'll work out the alliances and problems. One thing we can be sure of is that the $40K full-size half-ton pickup truck is here to stay. And SUVs are also going up in price. IOW, if you're going to buy one, do it sooner rather than later. They won't get any cheaper.
  
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Morbo on Apr 08, 2015

As a former 2003 Ford Ranger owner, I occasionally pine for a small, easy to park in the city, tough little truck that's good for home depot hauling. Then I remember the recent accident I saw in South Jersey. Same make / model Ranger like mine, one car accident in the pine barrens. Ranger slid off the road in an ice storm and hit a tree. or rather, the tree sheared off the drivers side of the truck like a hot knife into butter. No survivors, probably fortunately given how bad the truck was split. For all the wanting of a little trucklet again, I'll take our safety standards any day. I've known one guy that walked away from slamming (being pushed) into a concrete post at 40 MPH head on, thanks to modern Mazda. Another guy I know walked away from being T-Boned at 50, spinning into the traffic light post, and having the light post fall onto his Chrysler 300. And my former jackhole governor (Corzine) rolling his taxpayer funded Tahoe at 90 MPH, and eventually walking away from it (unfortunately in that case). Point being, those safety standards are valuable, and I don't want them sacrificed just to fit my admittedly narrow desires for a trucklet.

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- Redav on Apr 08, 2015
  
  Completely agree. That's why I want new small pickups (like size of the old Ranger) to be made again--with modern engines, emissions, safety, etc. If they can build a safe compact car, they can build a safe compact truck.
  
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- RobertRyan on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Morbo, Do not pine for this or any other "1Tonne" Pickup, they are early 2000's sized 1/2 tons. Try the car based mini Pickups they have in Brazil,or Mexico
  
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Speed3 on Apr 08, 2015

At first I thought this was a terrible idea, and I still think its a mistake for MB to sell rebadged Nissans, but this will probably end up being a hit. If GMC were a global brand the GMC Canyon Denali could be a competitor. Considering the surprise success (?) of the Escalade EXT, I think GM should at least look into a Cadillac version of the Canyon Denali for Global markets. What do you all think? Would a Cadillac Truck be the right move?

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- Corey Lewis on Apr 08, 2015
  
  Considering the failure of brand recognition and success of Cadillacs in other markets (read: almost nil), I think not. GMC is primarily NA market only. Some Chevrolet Denali version would be the only one possible in other markets. But other markets don't buy loaded up mid-size pickups. So I'm not sure what you're on about really.
  
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- Speed3 on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Then who is Mercedes Benz targeting this truck to?
  
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- Sigivald on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Speed3 They're not all luxury models, though that's an option on it. Remember, outside of North America, Mercedes is not a *pure* luxury brand. They sell cargo vans and heavy trucks and buses and the like, and have for a very long time.
  
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- RobertRyan on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Speed 3 Disasterous idea This is a Mercedes version of the Navara , with a MB diesel engine. Unlike the GM Canyon Denali, it has miniiumm 2,200llb payload, should be good OFf Road, Denali? No and will have a powerfully MB engine
  
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- RobertRyan on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Yes they certainly do buy loaded up Pickups, that is what Mercedes is trying to do with this
  
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- RobertRyan on Apr 08, 2015
  
  @Speed 3 Several markets outside the U.S. It will be marketed as a very carlike work truck, with a considerable payload up to 3,000lb and Mercedes car like qualities
  
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Oberkanone on Apr 09, 2015

There is a group at Nissan working to develop a new truck based off of the D22 currently sold in Mexico and other markets. D22 is smaller than D40 Frontier currently sold in United States and it's smaller than new D23 global Navarra. If they can get this new D22 to meet US safety standards then Nissan will have pickup they can market in US that is smaller, lighter, lower cost and more fuel efficent than midsize trucks from Toyota. Assembly would move to Aguascalientes, Mexico to meet cost targets and free up capacity in Canton for additional Titan volume and other Canton assembled products. D23 Nissan, Renault and high probability of the Mercedes version pickup assembly at Curitiba, Brazil. Not Argentina. Someone at TTAC knows about the D22 project - http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/06/exclusive-nissan-will-forgo-navara-bring-small-affordable-pickup-to-north-america-as-the-next-frontier/

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