Diesel for Dualis

Nissan Australia intends adding a diesel-powered Dualis model to the new series II range.

Currently available with only a 2.0-litre petrol engine in local showrooms, the Dualis was updated for the MY10 version, but the range will not include a diesel option until the lineup adequately accommodates European customers.

Euro Dualis buyers are already offered 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre diesel Dualis models.

On diesel options for local Dualis customers, Nissan Australia Managing Director Dan Thompson told the Carsales Network: "Late last year our number one priority was bringing in the 4x2, because that's where the bulk of demand was... The second priority was adding +2 [the seven-seat model] and the next priority will be diesel," he said.

"If we're looking over the next twelve months and talking diesel, it will depend on the expansion of the lineup that the Europeans expect; whether that means further body extensions or enhancements... Currently, it's [the Dualis] our lifeblood.

"Every other Nissan sold in Europe is a Qashqai [the model name given to Dualis in Europe] and it continues to get better for us. We've got backlogs [of orders] for months and months; they [currently] can't build enough cars to meet demand," says Thompson.

The Dualis is produced in Nissan's Sunderland, UK plant and shipping and volume allowances affect stock levels in Australia. Thompson told the Carsales Network his company ran out of the run-out model Dualis in March.

"Overall supply is certainly always a challenge for us," Thompson admits.

Local orders alone will amount to around 500 per month for the new model. Sunderland is running three shifts to meet demand for the Dualis.

The popularity of the Qashqai/Dualis in diesel-partial Europe will affect the chances of the oiler version's arrival in local showrooms, but Nissan Australia is not entirely focussed on expanding diesel offerings in its lineup -- see the latest news on the Patrol and even its slow reaction to diesel demand among X-Trail buyers...

"Certainly we want to continue to develop Dualis as a core model and [diesel] would bring more volume... [But] will diesel be the answer? Or will other spec or other product changes be a better investment for us... That's what we'll be contemplating over the next six months or so," he said.

Thompson furthered he was "in no doubt" the Dualis lineup in Europe would be broadened by product changes "beyond petrol, diesel and the +2 models..."

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