Car Features - Nissan Models Not Sold in Japan

In Japan, the second largest vehicle brand is Nissan whose brand portfolio include Infiniti (luxury brand) and Datsun (budget brand for several emerging markets). In the larger picture, it is allied with Renault that had saved the Japanese brand from bankruptcy in the late 90s as well as acquiring compatriot Mitsubishi in 2016. Similar to Toyota, Nissan has a handful of models sold outside the Japanese market not sold in the home market.

This list includes sister company Mitsubishi where certain Nissan models are rebadged as such in Japan but not their Infiniti or Datsun brands since these aren't available back there. Renault is out of question for now, since its a French brand to begin with. Before we start, current model line-up vehicles will be counted here and since Japan does not anymore dig pick-up trucks, they would not be listed here.

Let's discover first Nissan models..

Nissan Almera

The Almera models in Japan used different names, however an Almera based on the N16 Bluebird Sylphy was sold in several markets in Eastern Europe, South America, Mexico, and Egypt. Apart from the Nissan name, it also utilized Renault and Samsung badges.

Nissan Armada/Patrol

The Safari nameplate existed in Japan since 1951 and was discontinued in July 2007. In some countries however, production still continues. The Armada nameplate, on the other hand, is exclusive for the North American market and shares its platform with the Pathfinder SUV and Titan pickup.

Nissan Kicks

Not to be confused with the Kix kei car (it is a rebadged Mitsubishi Pajero Mini), this crossover SUV was first released in Brazil and it is planned to be sold in more than 80 countries.

Nissan Lannia

Built for the Chinese market whose target are buyers in their 20s and 30s and are trendsetters, it was first launched in 2015 at the Auto Shanghai 2015. One good thing is that its design language is in-sync with the rest of Nissans sold elsewhere and is filled with technologies that buyers find.

Nissan Livina/Grand Livina

Depending on which market is sold, the Livina is available as an ordinary five seater hatchback (Livina), a seven seater MPV (Grand Livina) ,or a raised crossover (X-Gear). Using the platform of the first generation Note compact, it first came to life in China and is sold in several ASEAN nations, Taiwan, Brazil, South America, and Middle East.

Nissan Maxima

This is where the confusion starts, the Maxima nameplate is also known (depending on the market) as the Cefiro and Teana. Starting from the sixth generation model from 2003, the Maxima nameplate is only available in USA, Canada, Mexico, and recently China. While the Altima/Teana puts an emphasis on comfort, this one focuses on driving athleticism.

Nissan Murano

Primarily developed for crossover crazy USA, the Murano arrived for the Japanese market in September 2004 and sold until April 2015. It was considered as a luxury due to its engine displacement. The third generation model isn't available there with assembly in USA and Russia.

Nissan NV

Rivaling the likes of the Chevrolet Express, the Nissan NV sold in North America is based on the Titan full sized pick-up. It is not targeted towards fleet users but rather pick-up buyers who wanted more space but not sacrificing power.

Nissan NV400

A rebadged Renault Master, a heavy duty truck sold in Europe is also utilized by Opel and Vauxhall in several markets. So flexible the chassis can be made for different purposes.

Nissan Paladin

Essentially a first generation Xterra SUV sold in North America, the Paladin is sold in the Chinese market since 1999 until now. While the original model was discontinued in 2015, it still lives on.

Nissan Pathfinder

For the Japanese market, it was sold using the Terrano nameplate but it was dropped in August 2002. Since the third generation model launched in 2004, it used a truck platform before morphing to a car based one in October 2012 in certain markets like North America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Middle East.

Nissan Pulsar/Tiida

Sold in several European markets as well in China and Singapore, the Pulsar hatchback is underpinned by a modular platform shared among Nissan and Renault vehicles. This is not related to the Pulsar passenger cars sold way before. It is named as the Tiida in Russia and China, also the name for a subcompact sold in Japan and the predecessor of the Versa/Almera. Names does not get weirder than this one.

Nissan Qashqai

Built on a platform shared among Renault and Nissan vehicles, the second generation Qashqai isn't sold anymore in Japan (the first generation model is sold as the Dualis). It has been a success in the UK market and is also sold in China and the USA markets.

Nissan Terrano

Unrelated to the Pathfinder, the Terrano is essentially a Dacia Duster (another Nissan-Renault subsidiary) sold in Indian and Russian markets.

Nissan Tiida/Pulsar

Released in China and sold in a number of countries like Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Middle East, this vehicle is essentially a hatchback version of the Sentra/Sylphy. Some countries utilize the Pulsar nameplate, making things confusing and thankfully, these aren't available side by side in their respective markets.

And now we discover Mitsubishi vehicles..

Mitsubishi Lancer EX/Grand Lancer

We all know that the Lancer would be killed this year and in Japan, the Galant Fortis was discontinued in April 2015. For the Chinese and Taiwanese markets, the Lancer still lives on as a heavily facelifted vehicle done by China Motor Corporation.

Mitsubishi Mirage G4/Attrage

Essentially the sedan version of the Mirage hatchback, this isn't available in the Japanese market whereas other markets around the world have this, including a Dodge version sold in the Mexican market.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport/Pajero Sport/Challenger/Nativa

Last sold in Japan in October 2001, this baby Pajero is based on the Strada/Triton pick-up truck and the two succeeding generations aren't marketed in their home country.

Mitsubishi Xpander

Aimed at the likes of the Toyota Avanza and Honda Mobilio, this Indonesian built MPV is Mitsu's new star.