Ford is exploring potential collaborations with Nissan, sparking speculation about a revived Maverick SUV. This move follows Ford’s recent commitment to passenger cars in Europe via a partnership with Renault, and unconfirmed reports suggest discussions with Nissan about shared platforms for North America. The idea isn’t new; Ford and Nissan previously collaborated in the 1990s, notably with the original Ford Maverick – essentially a rebadged Nissan Patrol.
A Legacy of Rebadging
The original Maverick’s history is rooted in shared manufacturing between Ford Australia and Nissan Australia. In the late 1980s, a $100 million partnership led to several shared models, including the Nissan Pintara sold as a Ford and a Ford Falcon ute marketed under the Nissan brand. The most notable outcome was the Ford Maverick, a direct rebadge of the Nissan Patrol. Simultaneously, in some markets, the Maverick name was applied to the Nissan Terrano II.
This practice of rebadging wasn’t merely cosmetic; it allowed both companies to expand their lineups with minimal development costs. However, it also raised questions about brand identity and customer perception. Why settle for a rebranded model when consumers could directly purchase the original?
The New Maverick: A Digital Concept
With Nissan planning a next-generation Patrol launch in 2026, digital artist Theottle has created a rendering of a potential new Ford Maverick based on current Ford SUV designs. This concept illustrates how a future collaboration could look, blending Nissan’s robust platform with Ford’s aesthetic.
The Competition and Engine Choices
The idea gains traction due to Ford’s desire to compete with the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series in the Australian market. The new Patrol will feature a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 317kW and 700Nm—coincidentally, the same engine found in the Ford Expedition. This contrasts sharply with the original Maverick, which offered underpowered 4.2-liter six-cylinder options (125kW petrol, 85kW diesel) without turbocharging.
Will It Happen?
While there’s no confirmed partnership, Ford would likely welcome a competitive product to challenge Toyota. However, the Maverick badge was recently revived for a US-market pickup in 2021, making a return to the SUV segment under the same name less probable. The key takeaway is that Ford’s history with Nissan, combined with market demands, makes a new Maverick SUV a plausible—though not guaranteed—outcome.
Ultimately, the success of such a venture hinges on Ford and Nissan finding mutual benefits in sharing platforms and brands. The question remains: will nostalgia and competitive pressure outweigh branding considerations?
