Nissan Navara-based ute will ‘absolutely’ be a Renault
New pick-up on the way for French brand.
Renault Australia is adamant that its upcoming ute will be true to the brand's values, despite building on underpinnings provided by Nissan's Navara.
A production version of Renault's Alaskan concept vehicle is set to arrive locally in 2017, before Mercedes-Benz introduces its own Spanish-built, Navara-based machine in 2018.
Justin Hocevar, Renault's Australian managing director, says the machine will deliver what people expect from the brand.
"It will be a Renault, absolutely," he says.
"It needs to be a very practical vehicle. It's got to be robust, and that's where we will really call on the alliance contribution to a greater extent."
Renault has form working with Nissan as part of its strategic alliance with the Japanese concern. Its new Koleos SUV shares its hardware with the Nissan X-Trail, though the French machine's design represents a compelling point of difference.
Hocevar says the Alaskan name may carry through to a production version of the pick-up, which forms a key part of the brand's plans for expansion in Australia.
"It's a great name and it would probably suit the production car as well. This is a big part of what we continue to invest and build our network to – to give us the footprint we need to be able to bring a vehicle like that into market," he says.
"From a design point of view I'm very confident that we can bring something unique and special to it. It really fits within the new Renault line-up.
"We don't look like a sausage factory that's just got vehicles in different sizes. We look like a brand that has got its own design DNA. Each vehicle has its own unique appearance, look and style relative to its segment."
While Australia is the first country in the world to receive the new Koleos SUV, Hocevar says it is unlikely that the local market will be first in line to receive the new ute.
2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB review
