Nissan Launching Terra SUV in Asia

Nissan Motor Co. will introduce its Terra SUV this spring in China, followed by other Asian markets shortly thereafter.

The new body-on-frame vehicle is based on Nissan’s NP300 Navara/Frontier midsize pickup truck platform. The SUV appears to share several body panels and styling cues with the Navara, media reports note.

The Terra also is expected to share the Navara’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. This counters previous reports that suggested Nissan was developing an all-electric model based on the 2012 TeRRa concept crossover vehicle.  

The Terra replaces the Paladin in China, which is known as the Xterra in other markets. The Xterra was discontinued in the U.S. two years ago.

Nissan says its truck and light commercial vehicle business unit, consisting of SUVs, pickups and vans, is critical to achieving the company’s “MOVE” midterm objectives. The Terra will be the first such vehicle launched under the plan that runs through 2022.

Last year, Nissan’s frame and LCV sales totaled nearly 908,000 vehicles—up 7% from 2016 volumes—accounting for about one in six vehicles the carmaker sells globally. The company aims to grow sales of these vehicles more than 40% by 2022.