whichcar.com.au | 12 AUG 2021
NISSAN PATROL CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY
AUSTRALIAN PATROL DELIVERIES STARTED IN 1961. JORDAN MULACH
THE NISSAN PATROL HAS reached 70 years in production, with the Japanese manufacturer celebrating six generations of the off-roader which first arrived locally in 1961. Launching in 1951 as Nissan's answer to the Willys Jeep, the Patrol has morphed over the years into the off-road focused wagon we now know. Gaining the comfort of coil springs in 1987 when the fourthgeneration GQ was launched, it earned 4x4 Australia's 4x4 of the Year award and making its way onto our list of top 10 4x4s.
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While the GQ was the Patrol's coming of age in the Australian market, the GU saw further success after its debut in 1997, winning the 1997, 2001 and 2002 4x4 of the Year awards before ultimately going out of production after 19 years in 2016. The Patrol's on-road success and sales were partially driven by its achievements off-road in competition, winning the Australian Off-Road Championship 4WD Production class a record 14 times at the hands of Les Siviour – taking out the overall Championship title in 1987 aboard a Nissan-backed GQ.
Nissan Australia's managing director Adam Paterson said the Patrol's strengths off-road have been a key factor in its popularity with local customers. “The Patrol is an automotive legend that has always been at the forefront of its segment, by breaking new ground in comfort and convenience while improving its rugged off-road capabilities and durability with every generation,” said Paterson. “And, as we celebrate the off-roader’s landmark 70th anniversary in 2021, it is fantastic
