Nissan has announced the local launch of the new Navara pickup, which the vehicle manufacturer says will come with Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems.
In a Webinar last week, the company announced the new Nissan Navara pickup will for the first time be manufactured locally and will be available in April 2021.
The pickup marks a milestone in the company's NEXT transformation plan, a four-year roadmap to achieve sustainable growth, financial stability and profitability by the end of fiscal-year 2023.
The Navara, which was first introduced in 1985 by the Japanese automaker, returns next year, integrated
with Nissan Intelligent Mobility, a suite of integrated technologies that are aimed at improving safety, control and comfort.
Among these systems is the 8-inch screen navigation system, which comes standard on all new Navara models, and features a drive-assist display which provides driving information, including fuel economy, live traffic updates, average speed display, song track, phone call functionality, information displays and cruise control adjustments, while the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel.
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning monitors two vehicles ahead, as well as the vehicle directly in front, to reduce the risk of multi-car accidents, while Intelligent Emergency Braking, which is designed to help avoid collisions, reduces the stress of driving in traffic or on busy streets.
Other features focused on long distance driving include Intelligent Driver Alertness, which prompts drivers to take breaks through visual and audible alerts
when changes in driving style or steering behaviour are detected.
This is further supported by Lane Departure Warning, which warns drivers if they begin to stray outside of their lane without signalling, while Intelligent Lane Intervention works to bring the vehicle back to the centre of the lane if the movement continues.
There is also the Intelligent Around View Monitor, which uses four mounted cameras to help drivers notice people and cars surrounding and approaching the vehicle. The system also features an off-road monitor, made to confirm surrounding obstacles at low speeds.
In addition, the vehicle has an auto-dimming smart rear-view mirror, which Nissan says helps to reduce glare from behind, and has an outside temperature display and digital compass.
Inside, the vehicle has the Nissan Intelligent Key – together with start/stop button, the user can unlock the front doors, start the engine and drive away, while the key is tucked away in in their pocket or bag.
"For the first time in history, the full model line-up of the next generation Navara will be produced on home soil, made in Africa for Africans,” said Shinkichi Izumi, MD, Nissan South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, speaking during the Webinar.
“I am immensely proud that we have overcome adversity and the effects of COVID-19 to reach this milestone.”
For the past few years, Nissan has been on an aggressive digital transformation journey.
In July, the company introduced the Shop@Home service, a full virtual showroom with a 360° virtual tour of the dealership, to offer services such as a video engagement call feature, through which customers can speak to a dealer representative, or request a call back.
