Last month’s 4×4 Pick-up Of The Year commented on the fact that a number of manufacturers were now caught in the ‘middle’ of a commercial sales battle; at one end the new bargain pick-ups from Great Wall and SsangYong, and at the top end the quality offerings like the award-winning Ford Ranger. The likes of Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi appear they are being squeezed in the middle. Nissan has responded to this threat with a new ‘budget’ version of the excellent Navara, the Visia. The entry level Navara Visia double cab is aimed squarely at the business market and comes at an impressive £17,995 on the road (plus VAT). It has the 2.5-litre dCi common-rail diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 142bhp and 350Nm of torque and is capable of up to 39.8mpg on the extra urban cycle. The model is available from this month. The battle for the business pick-up market is due to be a very interesting one this year!
