Nissan can crush the dual-cab dinosaurs like the Toyota HiLux by being the first to ditch diesel in the Navara - but will they do it? | Opinion

If Nissan really wants to grab Australia’s hotly contested dual-cab ute market by the scruff of the neck, it needs to something big. Something bold. But also something inevitable.

It needs to be the first traditional ute maker to ditch diesel entirely and cement itself as the leader in plug-in hybrid punch.

I know, I know — it sounds crazy. But let me furnish you with a couple of facts that might just swing you onto my side.

One, the dual-cab market is hurting, and only becoming more congested with each passing day. As we've previously reported, in the first three months of 2025, almost 6000 sales have disappeared from our three best-selling utes, with the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max all down year on year.

That tallies with the general market, with 4WD utes down 3.5 per cent year on year, and 2WD utes harder hit, dropping 24.5 per cent. In short, the best-selling utes in the country are struggling to counter the market slow-down and the arrival of so many newcomers.

Two, diesel as a fuel source is struggling. Again focusing on Australia’s light commercial space, diesel sales are down 12.3 per cent over the first quarter. In real terms, Australians bought 7558 fewer diesel utes over the first three months of 2025, compared to the same period in 20254.

Three, the Navara, which is admittedly soon to be replaced, is struggling, with its 4x4 sales down more than 18 per cent over the first three months of the year, with its 2267 sales relegating it to eighth spot on our best-seller list so far this year.

If that’s the bad news, here’s the ray of hope. There is one ute managing to truly buck the downward trend this year. The BYD Shark 6 — one of just three 4WD utes that managed to post positive growth in Q1 2025. In fact, its 4836 sales made it the county’s fourth best-selling ute over the first three months of the year, outselling big names like the Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50 and Volkswagen Amarok.

And what powers the Shark 6, you ask? A plug-in hybrid set-up that has captured the attention of the lifestyle ute crowd. Ford will also have its own plug-in Ranger soon enough, but will keep a foot in both camps by selling it alongside the regular ICE-powered models, and a host of other PHEV product will be with us soon enough.

But with nothing to lose, and a new Navara around the corner, Nissan is in a rare position to push its chips all-in on a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and stake a claim as the leader in that space. And make no mistake, the other brands would join Nissan soon enough. Though plenty don’t want to hear it, diesel as a fuel source has a use by date, and that date is approaching.

@carsguide.com.au Nissan’s BYD Shark 6 rival revealed in Shanghai #Nissan #Frontier #car #carsguide #fyp ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

By being first of the traditional crowd, Nissan could essentially do what Toyota did with hybrids — or, in fact, repeat the leadership it showed when it launched the Nissan LEAF.

Because, as we’ve just discovered, Nissan has been sitting on a strong-sounding plug-in hybrid solution this whole time, unveiling it to the world at the Shanghai show in the shape of the Frontier Pro.

Packing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor, the plug-in Frontier produces a total 300kW and 800Nm (which is a lot), while promising a total EV driving range in excess of 100kms. An electromechanical rear diff lock and off-road inspired drive modes suggest it will be able to do the tough stuff off road, too.

But most importantly, it breaks the mould for our traditional car makers, and gives Nissan level-pegging with the rush of Chinese brands who are only too eager to do things a little differently.

Now, Nissan just has to have the courage to push the button. Here’s hoping they find it.