Tan Chong pins 4WD hopes on Nissan Navara

 

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd aims to capture 30 per cent of the four-wheel-drive (4WD) double-cap diesel automatic and manual transmission segment next year, helped by the Nissan Navara.

The Navara, launched last week and dubbed by Tan Chong as the "Mother Trucker", will complement the existing Nissan Frontier model in the segment.

"The Frontier, a completely-knocked-down model, currently has 18 per cent share of the manual segment. We want to add another 12 per cent from the automatic segment with the fully-imported Navara," Tan Chong executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng said at the launch of the pick-up in Petaling Jaya.

Commercial vehicles account for about nine per cent of industry volume, with the balance dominated by passenger vehicles. Out of the nine per cent, manual transmission pick-ups make up 51 per cent and the automatic segment, the balance, Ang said.

The Navara is believed to be the biggest and most powerful pick-up in the country, with 174bhp and 403Nm turbodiesel common-rail engine.

Ang said the Navara offers the convenience of five-speed automatic transmission, leather seats, best-in-class interior space, car-like handling and riding comfort.

Other features include two front airbags, bi-xenon headlights, anti-lock braking system, electronically controlled 4WD system, limited slip differential, electronic brake force distribution and a large cargo area.

Fully imported from Thailand, the Navara comes with an on-the-road price of RM103,721.90 including insurance, road tax, and registration and ownership claim fees.