Chinese-built Nissan Frontier Pro pickup launches in export markets

The Nissan Frontier Pro, originally introduced at Auto Shanghai in April 2025, is transitioning from a China-only project into an international model. Also designated as the Navara Pro in select regions, the midsize pickup is the first Nissan vehicle engineered and manufactured in China specifically for global export markets. Production is handled by the Zhengzhou Nissan joint venture, highlighting the automaker's strategy of utilizing China as an engineering and production hub to combine rapid development speed with brand quality standards.

Mexico marks the first destination outside China to receive the truck, with sales commencing this month at a starting price of 899,900 pesos (approximately $50,000). The Mexican-spec version combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor to generate a total system output of 350 horsepower and 447 pound-feet (660 Newton-meters) of torque. Equipped with a 20-kWh battery pack and a full fuel tank, the vehicle delivers an overall driving range of 600 miles (966 kilometers), including 47 miles (75 kilometers) in electric-only mode. Further rollouts before the end of the year include the Philippines, the Middle East, and Latin American countries, while right-hand-drive variants for Australia and New Zealand are planned for 2027.

Underpinning the Frontier Pro is the Nissan Dongfeng Z9 platform, giving the truck an overall length of 217.3 inches (5,520 mm) and a wheelbase of 130 inches (3,300 mm). Despite sharing a nameplate, the vehicle has no connection to the North American D41 Frontier and will not be exported to the United States due to tariffs and the 25-percent Chicken Tax. In its domestic Chinese specification, the plug-in hybrid pairs a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a transmission-mounted electric motor for over 402 horsepower and 590 pound-feet (800 Newton-meters) of torque, offering up to 84 miles (135 kilometers) of CLTC electric range.

The Frontier Pro features an intelligent all-wheel-drive system with selectable 4High and 4Low modes, an optional electromechanical rear differential lock, and driving profiles including Hybrid, Pure Electric, Performance, and Snow. It also provides vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality supporting up to 6 kW. Nissan has developed multiple powertrain choices for international distribution, encompassing 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter plug-in hybrids as well as pure combustion engines, tailored to regional demands.