According to a report by carsguide.com.au, the third model that makes up the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s pick-up tie-up with Mercedes-Benz, the others of course being the Nissan Navara and Mercedes-Benz X-class, will be sourced from the main right-hand drive producing plant near Barcelona in Spain, effectively opening the doors for it to become available in South Africa.
Speaking to the online platform though, Renault Australia Managing Director, Andrew Moore, said that the Alaskan will be pitched as a premium model instead of the more mainstream Thai-sourced Navara, with intended rivals being the Toyota Hilux SR5, Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
“Similar to the Kadjar, it’s more about my confidence in the product and strategy approach that is different (from previous Renault Australia management). Being sourced from Europe means a higher cost than from Thailand, and I think previously (it was decided) that we just cannot compete in the low end,” Moore said.
“The Alaskan won’t be as cheap. So, what we want to do is differentiate our product, and if you have a look at the pick-up segment, so many of the purchases are high-end, image-based purchases. The success of the Ranger is all around the Wildtrak, similar scenario with the Toyota Hilux. We believe the Alaskan, with its European styling, looks terrific, and we’re working heavily with the factory on developing more elements like wheelarch fenders and sports bars to give it a distinct look and distinct image”.
Ruling 2019 out as a possible launch year for the Alaskan, Moore said the automaker has also not given up on introducing the Duster based Oroch but added that this would only occur sometime in 2021 when right-hand drive availability is set to kick-off.
“The idea of the dual pick-up strategy is that customers who want to spend sub-$35 000 (R361 310) have the Oroch, while customers looking for an image-based truck have the Alaskan that has everything,” Moore said, before remarking that the Alaskan would not be out to steal sales from its Japanese sibling.
“The spec level of the Alaskan out of Europe will be better than the Navara – but I don’t want to compete with the Navara. I want to compete with the Wildtraks, Hiluxes and AmaroksIt’s a change of strategy that plays on the strengths of the vehicle,” he said.
On sale in South America since 2016 with the European spec version having debuted last year, the Alaskan comes powered by the same 2.3 dCi oil burner as the Navara, in single (120kW/403Nm) or twin-turbo (140kW/450Nm) configurations with a choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox, as well as rear-or-four-wheel drive.
