Nissan Patrol Y62 demand outstripping supply

Massive price cuts to the slow-selling Y62 Nissan Patrol in July last year have completely turned around the big car’s fortunes, with demand now outstripping supply despite the continued lack of a diesel engine.

As you can read here, Nissan responded to flagging demand for its range-topper last year by re-aligning it with actual transaction prices or, in plain English, slashing up to $27,500 from the RRP because it was discounting them to that price already.

The ploy worked. We spoke to Nissan Australia managing director Richard Emery, who said the Y62’s “life has changed” since the price of entry was cut to $69,990 plus on-road costs.

While full sales figures are not published, the Y62’s share of Patrol sales is now pushing close 50 per cent alongside the aged diesel-powered Y61 workhorse, which will be phased out before the end of the year.

“When we made that change last year we’re now at the point where we can’t get enough supply,” Emery said of the Japanese-made Patrol. Emery also said, with frank candour, that previous to his time as MD, the Y62 was “priced arrogantly”.

Australia is one of few RHD markets to get the car, which is pitched firmly at petrol-dominated North America and the Middle East.

Because of this, the Y62 remains bereft of a more efficient diesel engine — it has a 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre V8 — but clearly the sharp price buys you a hell of a lot of fuel. The Patrol ST-L is $17,000 cheaper than a 200-Series Toyota LandCruiser GXL diesel, or $7500 cheaper than the GX workhorse.