Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek still a chance for Australia

Nissan has submitted a trademark application for the ‘Rock Creek’ nameplate less than a week after its local division told carsales there were no plans to introduce the rugged Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek flagship in Australia.

The submission was filed by Nissan Motor Co with IP Australia yesterday (March 6) exclusively under Class 12, which relates to motor vehicles and components.

A spokesperson for Nissan Australia expressed surprise at the trademark filing, and said they’d look into the development.

However, it’s clearly a move by Nissan in Japan to protect the Rock Creek moniker and allow the car-maker to launch the Pathfinder version – and potentially other model lines – in our market down the track.

The Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek emerged in the US in April 2022 – about a year after its global debut in February 2021 – and heralded a beefed-up, more capable flagship version of the fifth-generation family SUV.

Given Nissan Australia’s reticence, and the fact that the all-new Pathfinder only launched in Australia late last year, we’d expect the Rock Creek to be a more likely candidate for launch as a 2024 model at the earliest.

Nissan Australia is also preparing to launch the locally-developed Nissan Patrol Warrior this year and may look to avoid muddying the waters with another premium off-road-oriented large SUV.

Designed to take the Pathfinder back towards its more rugged roots, the Rock Creek features raised suspension (+16mm), an all-terrain wheel and tyre combination, revised ECU mapping, roof racks, unique fascias, tow bar hitch and an ‘Intelligent Around View Monitor’ with Off-Road Mode – like the one found on the Nissan Navara ute.

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