Parts for Nismo. Maybe Australian-made.
At least, that’s what Yutaka Sanada hinted at.
He’s the global boss of Nissan’s performance division. Speaking in Melbourne recently. The city is set to open its first Nismo Performance Centre outside Japan. Sanada was clear: he wants to work with local engineers. He thinks Australian tech is top-tier.
“Why not?” he said when asked about Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP).
He’s been there. He used to run the place. He knows the quality.
NCAP sits in Dandenong, southeast Melbourne. Open since 1982. Not a huge place — under 200 staff. But they pump out aluminum parts for Nissan and Renault globally. They even support Nissan’s battery mission.
High value. High precision.
Sanada sees potential.
Think classic car bits. The center opens later this year focusing on R32, R-R3, R34 Skylines. Huge local cult following. If they make heritage parts here? Enthusiasts would lose it.
NCAP is a very unique facility
They already do it for EVs. After a $4.2 million facelift in 2024 the plant shifted gears. Producing parts for the Nissan Leaf and the Renault 5. Plus tow bars.
The Navara tow bars even have a kangaroo stamp on them. Pride, basically.
It’s not a handout. NCAP has to compete. Beat outside suppliers on price and quality just to get the work inside the Alliance. It’s dog eat dog, but the fence is thick.
Timing aligns with Canberra’s mood too. PM Anthony Albanese recently said we can bring back manufacturing. Parts first, sure. Makes sense.
Nissan already knows how to dance locally. They love Premcar.
Steve Milette, the new Oceania managing director, praised the link. The Premcar-sorted Patrol and Navara Warriors? Sellers. Milette admits the brand elevation is real.
Bernie Quinn, boss at Premcar, backs that up. Halo cars sell. But more than that, they drag overall sales up. The data is there.
A new Navara Warrior is coming late this year. And don’t sleep on the Y63 Patrol.
It’s only a matter of time. A Warrior version will likely follow.
Sanada didn’t say when Nismo parts roll off the NCAP line. He didn’t say exactly what. Just that the door is open.
The idea has merit.
So will Nissan walk through it?
