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N
issan and Mitsubishi have only recently released their
new-generation utes in Australia, but the Navara
and Triton are set to be built off the same platform
in future following Nissan Motor Company’s purchase of a
controlling 34% stake in the triple-diamond brand.
Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn has confirmed
that it would make sense for the two utilities – both crucial
models in each brand’s respective stable – to share
underpinnings, but emphasised that a separate look and feel
would be maintained.
This philosophy is already being applied to alliance partner
Renault’s forthcoming new ute, which was previewed by the
near-production Alaskan concept and will be built on the
NP300 Navara’s platform.
Mercedes-Benz is also developing a ute based on the same
architecture, so there’s plenty of cross-pollination taking
place in the automotive world that will see a variety of new
utilities become available in Australia before too long.
Note that the France’s PSA Group – the parent company
of Peugeot and Citroen – has also recently revealed that a
one-tonne utility is among a raft of all-new light-commercial
vehicles currently in development and due for release over
the next five years – and that the local distributor, Sime
Darby Motors Group Australia, is working on a case to bring
them here.
Sime Darby has also been in negotiation with the
French factory to bring in the recently revealed Citroen
Dispatch (also known as the Jumpy) and/or Peugeot Expert
mid-size vans.
These are built on PSA’s latest EMP2 platform that
underpins passenger cars such as the Peugeot 308 and
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso – meaning advanced driver-assist
safety and infotainment technology is on board – and were
developed in collaboration with Toyota, which will sell a
version in Europe badged Proace.
Over at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), there is a
question mark on the future of its rival Scudo mid-size van
sold in Australia following the unveiling of the Talento in
Europe – Scudo’s fully redesigned replacement, which also
marks a shift in product-sharing partnership from PSA to the
Renault-Nissan Alliance.
FCA Australia says there are no plans to bring the
Talento here, but the local subsidiary has confirmed that a
long-anticipated all-new Jeep ute based on the Wrangler off-
road wagon is well underway and that it is working to offer it
Down Under when it reaches production around 2018 – about
the same time the new utes from Renault and Mercedes will
be entering showrooms.
SPOTLIGHT ON FUTURE MODELS