The most popular truck in Mexico is a little model called the NP300–by a mile. That’s likely a name you’ve never heard. But if you saw one in person you’d say, “That looks familiar.” Until very recently, the NP300 was just a rebadged Nissan Frontier.
Mexico loves Nissan
Nissan dominates the Mexican auto market. The Nissan Versa was the country’s best-selling car in 2024, with 93,278 sales. The NP300 wasn’t far behind, moving 59,031 units—far more than any other truck. Mexico also loves the Nissan March (27,926 sales) and Sentra (23,694 sales).
So what exactly is the NP300?
The NP300 is a global midsize pickup, known as the Navara in many markets. It debuted in 2014 and got a facelift in 2020. It’s a workhorse, not a luxury truck. Buyers get turbocharged four-cylinder engines, a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic, and body-on-frame durability. It’s built to haul, tow, and survive bad roads—not impress at a valet stand.
Mexico’s Nissan NP300 Vs. the U.S. Frontier
Until 2021, the U.S. Nissan Frontier was just a rebadged NP300. That changed in 2022, when Nissan built a new Frontier (the D41 generation) exclusively for North America.

The U.S. Frontier is larger, stronger, and more refined. It packs a 310-hp V6, an upgraded 9-speed automatic, and a tougher frame. Meanwhile, the NP300 stuck to its simple, budget-friendly roots.
The NP300 outsells every other truck in Mexico
The 59,031 NP300s sold in 2024 crushed every other truck in Mexico. Why? Affordability, durability, and trust.

Businesses rely on the NP300 for construction, deliveries, and farm work. It’s cheaper than a full-size truck but just as capable for most jobs. So why doesn’t Nissan sell the NP300 in the U.S.? There are three main reasons:
- Safety – The NP300 wouldn’t meet U.S. crash test regulations.
- Market demand – Americans want bigger, more powerful trucks.
- Expectations – The NP300 is a no-frills work truck, while U.S. buyers want comfort and tech.
If you ever visit Mexico, you’ll see a very familiar truck everywhere. But even though it looks like a Frontier, it isn’t. The Frontier evolved, the NP300 stuck to its roots. Nissan knows exactly what each market wants—and delivers.