A new-model push, and not just unfulfilled promises, is planned to get Nissan moving again in Australia.

The work is already underway with early orders for the all-new Patrol and an upscale version of the X-Trail called the Rock Creek, but the new boss of Nissan Australia knows more is needed in the back end of 2026 and into 2027. And he is not just talking (again) about a new GT-R supercar to fill the void.

“We have fantastic product,” the new CEO of Nissan Australia, Steve Milette, told WhichCar by Wheels.

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“There is a lot of volume where a lot of the growth is happening – and we’re not playing.”

He is obviously talking about electric vehicles and SUVs, but expansion of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid line-up and more versions of its popular sellers.

Milette also knows he has to reverse the negative news around Nissan’s financial troubles in Japan and restore faith among shoppers in Australia who believe the company will close inside five years.

“We definitely will be here in five years. My mandate coming here is not to shut it down, but to stabilise and grow the business,” he said bluntly.

“Nissan has 60 years of history in this country. We have a vast dealer network, with 172 stores. We have coverage wherever you live and wherever you travel. And we have fantastic product.”

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But there is no denying the negatives for the man who was formerly the head of Nissan in Canada.

“I would say we are down 30 per cent, year-on-year, in that range. There were expected declines in volume. This fiscal year is a year of stability. Then we have the tools to go back into growth mode.

“Those were all conscious decisions. I would say right-sizing is part of it. We discontinued the Duke and Pathfinder. Qashqai is only e-Power.”

Milette said the sales decline was partly down to those conscious decisions, but admits Chinese brands are making things tough and that shoppers have lost confidence in Nissan.

How does he combat the negatives?

“I have to go back on heritage. We use legacy as though it’s a negative word, but for me it’s about 60 years of quality in this market. People started out in a Pulsar. We’re ingrained in this country.

“If you’re looking for a brand that you recognise, and trust, that’s Nissan.”

He also believes many of the converts to Chinese cars are buying their first new car.

“They are people who used to shop secondhand. We don’t play in that space And we’re not going to. But we do play in the core space.”

Milette deflects any discussion of the next GT-R – still widely expected in 2028 – as he discusses what is set to arrive.

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“We are about to launch a new two-wheel drive e-Power version of the X-Trail. From a product perspective, X-Trail is our workhorse. It has exactly what customers are looking for.

“The Qashqai, which is also e-Power, too. We also have the Patrol, with a resurgence of demand for the V8. And the new model coming shortly.”

Milette’s planning already runs well into the future and he promised he will not be an in-and-out caretaker CEO on a short-term contract.

“I have a three-year visa at the moment. We’ll take it from there. Moving here to Australia, I want the decisions I make to be for the long-term benefit of the company.

“We have to be simple to deal with. Then together we’re ready to ramp up our growth.”