When Western automakers abandoned the Russian market, the Chinese found a new playground, with one planning to offer a rebadged Patrol
- After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western automakers exited under the West’s sanctions.
- This departure created an opportunity for China to flood Russia’s car market with its brands.
- One of them, Otting, plans to sell the Chinese-made Nissan Patrol in Russia starting next year.
After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Western sanctions devastated its automotive market as many European brands pulled out. Never the one to miss an opportunity, the Chinese stepped in and started flooding Russia with their own vehicls, taking advantage of competitors departing en masse and provided the starving local car market with an increasing number of options.
The interesting part is that, thanks to their joint ventures with Western carmakers, the Chinese offer rebranded versions of vehicles that are otherwise off-limits in Russia. One example is the new-generation Nissan Patrol, which is sold as the 2025 Armada in North America. We’ll remind you that Nissan pulled out of Russia in 2022, after selling its operations to state-owned NAMI for the symbolic price of just 1 Euro.
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The rebranded Patrol will be offered by Otting, a company largely unknown outside of Russia, where it’s represented by Sinomach Automotive. Currently, Otting sells the Paladin SUV, an upgraded version of the Nissan Terra, and the Palasso pickup truck, which is a rebranded Dongfeng Rich 6. Both models are manufactured in China by Zhengzhou Nissan, a joint venture between Dongfeng and the Japanese automaker.
According to the company’s presentation shared by Kolesa, the rebranded Nissan Patrol will be built at the Zhengzhou Nissan plant in China and is expected to hit Russian dealers in 2026. The Chinese brand’s office reportedly noted that the new SUV “will be the only Japanese representative in the class presented in Russia officially.” No other details were provided at this time.
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Moving on to Otting’s other upcoming offerings, Russian representatives revealed that they will launch the Rich 7, a Nissan Navara-based pickup with an X-shapped grille and “tiger” headlights. It will be available in two lengths, measuring 5,287 and 5,537 mm respectively, offering buyers a choice between a 228 hp 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine and a 2.3-liter, 166 hp turbodiesel, which will be mated to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission with rear- or all-wheel drive.
Yet another pickup, the Z9, is set to launch in late 2025. This one is reportedly based on an original design from the Chinese company. It will feature a light pattern shaped like the letter Z, a narrow radiator grille with an oversized frame, and a large infotainment system prominently displayed on the dashboard. According to Otting’s Russian division, the Z9 will come with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 147-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a 212-hp electric motor, offering a maximum range of 1,100 km (1,601 km).
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