Nissan Taps China JV To Power Philippine EV Push

Nissan is bringing two new electrified vehicles to the Philippines on November 6, both developed with its Chinese joint venture partner, Dongfeng Motor. The Navara Pro is a plug-in hybrid pickup (a vehicle that combines a gas engine with a battery you can charge from an outlet) with a 32.85 kWh battery giving about 135 kilometers of electric-only range, plus a gas engine backup. The Primera EV is a fully electric sedan offered with two battery sizes, one giving up to 510 kilometers of range and a larger one reaching 635 kilometers, with fast-charging that can refill the battery from 30 to 80 percent in about 14 minutes.

These join Nissan's existing "e-POWER" lineup already sold in the Philippines, including the Kicks and X-Trail. Those models use a small gas engine only to generate electricity for a battery that powers the wheels, so they drive like an EV but never need to be plugged in. The X-Trail e-POWER is priced at about 2,290,000 pesos, roughly $36,700.

None of this is U.S. news, and there's no indication yet that these specific models are headed to American driveways. But it signals where Nissan is putting its electrification effort: China-designed hybrid and electric platforms are becoming the backbone of its plans for markets outside Japan. If you're watching for more EV and plug-in hybrid options down the road, it's a sign of what parts and technology may eventually work their way into other markets, including possibly the U.S., though nothing here confirms that timeline.