Nissan NV350 a potential starter for Australia

As part of Nissan’s global strategy to maintain growth in all markets, the Japanese company is considering the new NV350 as part of its entry into the Australian van segment in the near future.

Nissan Australia’s boss, Dan Thompson, said the NV350 is being looked at as one of the models under consideration for Nissan entering the van segment in Australia. The NV350 goes on sale in Japan in the second half of 2012, which will mean a 2013 entry into the local market is the likely scenario (if it was to happen).

The van’s boxy shape (which bares great resemblance to Toyota’s Hiace) is a result of stringent pedestrian safety regulations, which left Nissan designers with very limited choice in expressing a more unique exterior design (more on that here).

The Nissan NV350 will be available in a range of fuel-efficient diesel and petrol engines (in the Japanese market) and offer storage capacity deep enough to accommodate objects measuring up to three metres in length.

No doubt entry into the van segment will see Nissan Australian gain additional sales, but competition from Hyundai, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz is strong, making Nissan’s challenge much more difficult.

More on the Nissan NV350.

Would you like to see this van make it down under?