2022 Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder and Z set to boost Australian sales this year, but when will these critical new models arrive in showrooms?

Nissan Australia has finally kicked off its biggest new-model rollout in decades, with four key models launching before the end of 2022.

The Japanese carmaker has battled through a new-product drought in which the Juke light SUV has been the only new-generation model to launch since the arrival of the D23 Navara ute in May 2015.

That is all about to change, however, as Nissan ramps up for a massive year.

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Three new-generation SUVs, including the Qashqai, the mid-size X-Trail and the new Pathfinder large SUV are on the way, as is the fresh Z sports car.

However, given the delays in the global supply chain impacting virtually every carmaker, Nissan Australian managing director Adam Paterson could not provide specific timing for the three SUVs, saying only that they will arrive in the second half of the year.

When asked by CarsGuide what order the SUVs would go on sale, he responded that they would have “very similar timing”, but they want to “get the new product to market as quickly as possible”.

“There have been some challenges from a supply standpoint that have changed the initial arrival dates, and now (the SUVs) all coming very close to one another. But it wasn't like we're gonna say 'slow them down so that we can have spaces between them’.” 

Before the SUVs start to arrive, the first cab off the rank will be the new Z coupe arriving from mid-year, bringing with it a more powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine. 

The four models are expected to boost Nissan’s flagging sales that have been impacted by the global delays, as well as the end of production of the outgoing second-gen Qashqai that has left Nissan Australia with no more stock until the new one lands.

In 2021, Nissan racked up 41,263 sales, but Mr Paterson said that the new models could help the brand surpass 50,000 units this year, depending on supply.

“I think the product has the ability to do so, whether or not we can secure enough vehicles is too volatile for me to give you that number right now. Like, when China locks down Shanghai and factories close and we can't get components, it's difficult for me to say that we're going to be able to actually secure X amount of units,” he said.

“That's the part that's so volatile. And it's frustrating to customers and dealers and things like that. But literally we get calls from suppliers globally saying ‘we can't meet the commitment for X, Y and Z product’. And that affects us, but it affects us in every market.”

While some brands like Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Citroen, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Kia and more have removed certain features from models on sale in Australia as a result of the semiconductor shortage, Mr Paterson said that Nissan has had another approach.

“So our strategy has been a little bit different than perhaps others. I think there's been reports of other manufacturers deleting this feature or that feature. 

“We've to try to keep things a little bit more simple. Generally speaking, we've just somewhat adjusted the grade mix that we brought into the country as opposed to deleting features straight out.”