New Nissan Cabover Truck to Be Built in Avila, Spain

MADRID – Nissan Europe begins testing the assembly line where its new NT500 range of cabover trucks will be built at its plant in Avila, Spain, 68 miles (110 km) northwest of Madrid.

The new product, codenamed F91G, will be launched later this year in Spain and several other European markets. Nissan Spain estimates its investment in the project at €100 million ($133 million).

The new vehicles will be offered in 3.9-ton, 3.9-ton with reinforced chassis, 6.2-ton, 7.2-ton and 8.3-ton versions. They eventually will replace the current Atleon range, which also is assembled in Avila along with a lighter range, the Cabstar, which remains on the market for now.

Powering the NT500 are a couple of variants of Nissan’s ZD30 3.0L 4-cyl. turbocharged engine, which makes 150 hp and is compliant with the Euro 6 emissions standard taking effect in the European Union in early 2014. The engine in the 8.3-ton version reaches 176 hp with the help of a twin turbo.

Nissan says the NT500 will be offered with two gearboxes, manual and robotized, although the latter one will be available only in the 8.3-ton version.

The truck range will offer wheelbases of 122 ins. (310 cm), 138 ins. (350 cm), 154 ins. (390 cm) and 169 ins. (430 cm).

Maintenance intervals are planned every two years or 24,800 miles (40,000 km).

Buyers will be able to choose from among three equipment levels, although these will vary from one market to another. All versions will have keyless start. Intermediate versions will include a radio/CD player, USB sockets, steering-wheel-mounted controls, a driver’s airbag, automatic climate control and cruise control. The top level will include a navigation system and passenger airbag.

The NT500 name stands for Nissan Truck, a culmination of the Japanese auto maker’s new badging system for its vehicles, which include the NV400 and NV200 (Nissan Vans) and NP (Nissan Pickup).

The NT500 range has been designed by Nissan and its Chinese partner Dongfeng, which also took part in designing the ZD30 engine used in the Cabstar and Atleon truck ranges and in the Pathfinder cross/utility vehicle.

Nissan Europe says it is too soon to say where the NT500 will be marketed, but Italy has been one of the key markets for vehicles assembled in Avila.

The new range of trucks has been under discussion since late 2004. Ivan Zazo, chairman of Nissan’s works council at Avila, says production of the Cabstar, Atleon and NT500 models could total 25,000 units in 2014. But he concedes European commercial-vehicle demand is low, and output for all of 2013 could range between only 10,000 to 10,500.