While the Australian automotive manufacturing scene seemed to all but disappear a few years ago when Holden, Ford, and Toyota closed down their production operations, there is life within the domestic sector.

Take the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior. Launched in September last year, the flagship of the Navara range is built specifically for Australian conditions and comes via a team-up between the Japanese manufacturer and Australian engineering company Premcar.

And in the few months since launch, Premcar has revealed it has built more than 750 examples and expects to hit 1000 by the end of March this year.

Based on the Navara PRO-4X, the Warrior undergoes extensive re-manufacturing at the Premcar facility in Victoria, running through 10 manufacturing stations. Each stop takes around an hour to complete and includes, amongst other things, the fitting of the winch compatible bullbar, full underbody protection, fully revised suspension and a unique towbar.

Key updates include enhancements to performance and capability with wheel, tyre and suspension changes to deliver improved ground clearance, a wider stance and improved ride and handling.

The Warrior is equipped with the Navara’s 2.3-litre, common-rail, four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel, producing 140kW and 450Nm from as low as 1500rpm. Towing capacity is rated at 3.5 tonnes braked.

Premcar says it has the capacity to produce up to 10 cars a day, five days a week.

“This is so much more than some kind of sticker pack,” said Bernie Quinn, Premcar Engineering Director. “This is an extensively re-engineered vehicle that’s designed, engineered and built by some of the world’s most talented automotive manufacturing experts, right here in Victoria.

“That’s not just a win for Nissan, and for Premcar, but for the automotive manufacturing industry more generally. We have always had world-beating talent, and it’s so rewarding to watch them produce world-beating vehicles again.”

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (February 2022) 

18 February 2022