Nissan announced earlier that it plans to close its factory in Barcelona, which basically means that Navarra will be withdrawn from sale. At least in Europe.
According to Nissan, the decision reflects the shrinking pick-up market in the Old Continent, where only 116,280 sales were registered last year. The Renault Alaskan and Mercedes X-Class, sister models of the Navarre, were also made in Barcelona, but were discontinued for the same reason.
"Production of the current-generation Nissan Navara for European markets will end when our Barcelona plant closes in December 2021, and sales will be completed during 2022," Nissan said in a statement to Automotive News. "This reflects the declining segment of trucks in Europe and the shift that many consumers are taking from trucks to our range of modern and efficient vans."
Nissan had an alternative solution to import Navarre from Thailand to Europe, although the board of directors has already decided not to do so.
Navarra was first launched in 1985, and was even produced in Greece for the local market. The 2004 model is still considered very important for the European segment of the truck, as it has revolutionized it with a more comfortable cabin, new features and more refined driving quality. Mercedes also tried to steal sales from segment leaders Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux in Europe with the X-Class, which was closely linked to the Navarre. It was discontinued in May last year due to poor sales, and was followed by Renault Alaskan.
