- Nissan admitted it routinely scraps Navara shocks before delivery.
- The waste stems from a local suspension tune carried out by Premcar.
- Dealerships recycle the metal and oil from discarded parts locally.
The latest Nissan Navara has landed in Australia with a suspension tune tailored for local roads, though the way it gets there is raising a few questions. Before any customer takes the keys, every single example has its factory-fitted shock absorbers removed and thrown out.
This unusual approach comes from Nissan’s collaboration with Melbourne engineering outfit Premcar, the same team responsible for developing suspension setups specifically for Australian conditions.
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The goal is to give the Navara a sharper edge over its closely related cousin, the Mitsubishi Triton. Even so, the process adds extra layers of cost in both development and production, and creates avoidable waste. Once the vehicles reach dealerships, technicians step in to remove the original shocks and install the locally developed replacements before delivery.
Speaking to CarExpert, a Nissan spokesperson explained: “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 doesn’t exactly sound like the cheapest way of doing things, but the spokesperson insists the process lines up with Nissan’s “sustainability policies,” particularly its focus on recycling materials.
Why Throw Them Away?
The D27 generation Navara is built alongside the Triton at Mitsubishi’s Laem Chabang plant in Thailand. The Australian-developed suspension, however, is not fitted at that facility. Instead, the pickups leave the factory riding on standard Mitsubishi-sourced shocks, which are later removed and replaced after transport.
It’s perfectly normal for new vehicles to clock up a few miles before they ever reach a customer. Between factory testing, transport on trucks and ships, and the shuffle around storage yards and dealership lots, those odometers rarely sit at zero for long. That also explains why components like shock absorbers cannot simply go back on a shelf and be sold as brand-new once they’ve been removed.
Even so, it’s not hard to see the appeal for Mitsubishi Triton owners in Australia. Lightly used factory parts could be an attractive option when replacement time comes around, particularly if they were offered at a lower price than brand-new components.
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 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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Even with the setback, company executives insist the extra time was non-negotiable. The goal was to meet the expectations of Australian buyers in a segment where the locally developed Ford Ranger continues to set the pace.
In reality, buyers will likely welcome the improved driving dynamics of this midsize pickup, along with its more distinct character compared to its Mitsubishi sibling. Still, the idea of thousands of essentially brand-new parts being destroyed before ever reaching the road is a tough pill to swallow.
