Rumor has it that a new Nissan X-Trail is coming back to Thailand. And…?
If we were to put stock in the rumor mill, it’s said that the Nissan X-Trail may be returning to southeast Asia. Speculation has been reported by certain Thailand sites, also claiming that their country will host the comeback of Nissan’s long-been-absent crossover. Moreover, they expect it to be introduced as an e-POWER hybrid. What does this mean for us, then?
Can Nissan cover the crossover bases with the Kicks and the X-Trail?
Photo: Nissan
Before we proceed any further, we’d like to clarify that again, this is a rumor, a report based on Thailand automotive media site GrandPrix.co.th. If anything, we’re just as curious (and excited) as they are.
The Thailand-based website claims that reliable sources have leaked information that the all-new 4th generation X-Trail will make its way back to Thailand; no specific date has been indicated, though. However, it’s said that the “launch” will follow that of the 7-seater Nissan Serena which they say will happen “later this year”.
Photo: Nissan
The Thailand-spec X-Trail will likely be the e-POWER variant, a 201 HP, 2-wheel-drive model currently being sold in Europe and Australia, the latter being the only other country that offers it in the Asia-Pacific region other than Japan. Whether the stronger, 4-wheel-drive e-4ORCE will make a debut has yet to be seen.
To add some fuel to the fire, Thailand does have a battery production plant in the Samut Prakan Province. Currently, the facility builds batteries for the Kicks, but if one were to surmise, it wouldn’t make sense to limit its output to and for just one vehicle brand, right?
Photo: Nissan
Alongside the news of the X-Trail’s reintroduction into SEA via Thailand, it’s also been reported that there is a possibility that the Nissan Ariya might also be added into the mix. It was supposed to have been launched in the early 20’s but seeing as how the pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, it seems to have been shelved. Maybe this time it will actually happen.
So again, we ask, what does this mean for us in the PH? Specifically for the X-Trail, we all know that it has had a local following. Add to that the recent price reduction of its smaller cousin, the Kicks, following BEV classification, it could become a very competitively-priced hybrid crossover, should the rumors be true, and if Nissan PH decides to bring it in.
Let’s not get our hopes up too high, though. Again, these are all just rumors and wishful thinking. But it never hurts to wish for a more affordable hybrid crossover like the X-Trail, right?
