Nissan debuts two SUV concepts, including a reboot of Terrano
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Nissan has unveiled two new electrified SUV concepts at Auto China, which is said to underline the growing importance of China to its global strategy.
The Urban SUV PHEV Concept and the Terrano PHEV Concept are supposedly a signal of an accelerated push into new energy vehicles (NEVs), with both production versions expected to be revealed within the next 12 months.
Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa said China is playing a pivotal role not just as a sales market, but as a source of innovation for the brand worldwide.
“Under our vision, China is not only a highly competitive domestic market but also a source of innovation, enabling us to create new value and experiences for customers in China and in the global markets,” he said.
Two electrified SUVs preview future direction
Of the two concepts, the Urban SUV PHEV has been designed with younger buyers in mind, focusing on city-friendly usability combined with electrified performance. Its design direction draws inspiration from models like the NX8, hinting at the styling direction of Nissan’s future SUV line-up.
Meanwhile, the Terrano PHEV Concept revives a familiar nameplate, blending the brand’s off-road heritage with plug-in hybrid technology aimed at balancing everyday usability with weekend adventure capability.
Both vehicles form part of a broader plan that will see Nissan introduce three additional NEV models in China by the end of the 2027 financial year.
China central to Nissan’s global plans
The concept debuts are also said to reinforce Nissan’s new global vision, dubbed “Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life,” which positions China alongside Japan and the United States as one of its three key markets.
Within this strategy, China is said to serve a dual purpose: as a major domestic market and as a fast-moving innovation and export hub. Nissan says it is leveraging the speed of development and advanced local technologies in China to create products that can compete globally.
Recent models developed under this approach include the N7, Frontier Pro PHEV, N6 and NX8, with several already earmarked for export beyond China.
The N7 is set to be exported to Latin America and ASEAN markets, while the Frontier Pro PHEV is planned for regions including the Middle East. Future production versions of the NX8 and the Terrano PHEV are also expected to reach selected global markets.
Nissan has set an ambitious target of one million annual sales in China by 2030, with exports playing a key role in achieving that goal.
