Nissan Patrol given no due date

The heavyweight off-roader is already a sell-out in the Middle East, with an Infiniti luxury model also on the way, but right-hand drive production does not even have a start-up date.

Nissan Australia is bringing a Patrol to Australia later this month for a number of events, including the Australian International Motor Show, but cannot confirm when it will be followed by production models.

"We don't know yet when it's coming. The Arabs are soaking up everything that is being built," says Nissan Australia spokesman, Jeff Fisher.  "It's going to be more than 12 months. It's still between 12 and 24 months.  It will get here. It's in the slot, but it's a matter of waiting."

Fisher says the problem is the low demand for right-hand drive Patrols.  "South Africa has said no, England is not interested, so it's just Australia."  The demonstration Patrol is coming fully loaded for the show and a range of driving demonstrations including a press preview in Queensland. 

"It's packed with technology. It's got a type of active suspension with hydraulics, tyre pressure monitoring and a lot more. It's a big story," Fisher says.  "We're bringing it here to showcase the technology and get some feedback."

The special Patrol is also being used to celebrate the 50 anniversary of the model in Australia.  "The Patrol is 50 years old in Australia. And this is the first all- new model since the GU in the 1990s, so there is a lot to talk about," Fisher says.