- Nissan admitted of scrapping Navara shocks before delivery.
- The reason for the waste is a local suspension tune by Premcar.
- Dealerships recycle the metal and oil from the discarded parts.
The new generation of the Nissan Navara was recently launched in Australia with a local suspension tune, but the logistics behind it have raised some eyebrows. The automaker has revealed that every new Navara sold in Australia has its factory-fitted shock absorbers removed and scrapped before the customer ever takes delivery.
The decision stems from Nissan’s partnership with Melbourne-based engineering firm Premcar, which developed unique suspension tunes tailored for the Australian market.
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While this was designed to give a dynamic edge to the Nissan Navara compared to the closely-related Mitsubishi Triton, it increases R&D and manufacturing costs while creating waste. Once the trucks arrive at local dealerships, technicians are tasked with swapping the factory shocks for the new locally-made units.
Speaking to CarExpert, a Nissan spokesperson said: “When they remove the shocks, they have a standard process where it’s recommended they drain the oil, dispose of it in the same way as they would engine oil in a car, and they send the shocks for metal recycling.”
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This sounds far from being the most cost-effective solution, but the spokesperson believes that scrapping the parts aligns with Nissan’s “sustainability policies,” which include recycling materials.
Why Throw Them Away?
The D27 generation of the Navara is produced alongside the Triton at the Mitsubishi Laem Chabang factory in Thailand. However, the Australian-made suspension is not installed at the overseas factory, with the pickups riding on the standard Mitsubishi-sourced shocks during transit.
Naturally, the vehicles rack up a few miles following factory testing, being loaded onto trucks and ships, and driven around storage facilities and dealership lots. This explains why the shock absorbers can’t be returned to a warehouse or sold as new parts after their removal.
Still, we can imagine that many Mitsubishi Triton owners Down Under would like to have access to the lightly used components once it’s time for a replacement – especially if they were offered at a discounted rate.
The Suspension Tune
Premcar’s localized setup for the Navara includes a specific tune for the SL and ST grade, a slightly more road-oriented setup for the ST-X, and an off-road tune for the flagship Pro-4X. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Nissan and Premcar are working on a rugged Pro-4X Warrior trim with suspension tweaks designed to handle even more challenging terrain.
Nissan has confirmed to CarExpert that the launch of the Navara was pushed back by a full year in order to accommodate the comprehensive local engineering program.
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Despite the delay, executives emphasized that this was deemed necessary to ensure that the pickup meets the expectations of Australian buyers, helping it stand out in a competitive segment dominated by the locally-developed Ford Ranger.
The reality is that buyers will likely appreciate the improvement in the driving dynamics of the midsize pickup and its different character compared to the MItsubishi sibling. Still, the thought of thousands of like-new parts being shredded before they ever hit the road remains a tough pill to swallow.
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