New transmission is a good start, but they are going to have to do more. The 2013 F150 and Ram 1500 are going to get better mileage than the 2013 Frontier despite weighing an extra thousand pounds. Makes it much harder to justify getting a small truck.

Another nice change would have been the 2.5 diesel. Then it would improve its fuel economy to above 28mpg. The little diesel is about 188hp and 320ftlbs of torque.

Toyota's made in Texas.. Nissan's Frontier also
Made in the USA... Smyrna, Tennessee to be exact. Chevy Silverado's made in Mexico now. The Heartbeat Of America no longer. :(

Nissan/Infiniti News Room

Smyrna, Tennessee Operations
Smyrna, TN, Smyrna, Tennessee, United States

Vehicle assembly plant
Smyrna, Tennessee
Investment: $2.5 billion
Employees: 3,900
Facility: 5.4 million square feet
Property: 884 acres
Production started: June 16, 1983
Models produced: Nissan Altima midsize sedan
Nissan Altima Coupe
Nissan Altima Hybrid midsize sedan
Nissan Frontier King Cab pickup truck
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab pickup truck
Nissan Maxima sport sedan
Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicle
Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle

Capacity: 550,000 vehicles

I love my Frontier! My brother just bought a new Titan based off of my recommendation of Nissan's trucks. As pointed out, it's made right here in the US.

Vehicle assembly plant
Smyrna, Tennessee
Investment: $2.5 billion
Employees: 3,900

@JayLH41- my point exactly. You see Chevy guys up in arms over their trucks being built South of the border now. Look what Nissan is doing. 3900 American jobs and well over 2 billion put into our economy. And we gave GM how much money? It's pretty obvious to me what company cares more about what American's think and how we view their company policies and product origin.

@JayLH41 gm has one truck plant in mexico and two in the USA Flint, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana both my trucks came from Fort Wayne

http://wot.motortrend.com/gm-invests-328-million-into-flint-plant-for-next-gen-chevy-silverado-and-gmc-sierra-98445.html

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-GM-Plant-to-Built-Next-Gen-Full-Size-Pickup-130212848.html

gm has one truck plant in mexico

@JohnnyDoe, that's 1 truck plant too many. You don't build TRUCKS in Mexico. Little disposable cars? Ya, sure. Not freaking trucks. And Especially not Chevy's. Chevrolet is like an American icon. What the hell is wrong with GM? Build their GMC's down there if they must. It's Government Motors Co. to most anyhow. Nobody cared about that name in the first place. Add to it, 4 door trucks are America's biggest seller. That's all anyone buys anymore. And that's the one they build there. The guys running GM are corporate money whores. Way to ruin Chevrolet morons.

I think alot of the Nissan SUVs and pickups are designed in San Diego. Nissan used to have a design studio there.

Nissan needs to jump on the Made In The USA thing in their marketing and commercials like Now! So does Toyota. Ford will with their trucks shortly now that Dodge has made a dent in Chevy sales. Ford will target both. Wouldn't it be odd to see Ford, Toyota and Nissan as the top 3 American built trucks? Nissan is going to hammer this home no doubt just like Ford's getting ready to do. And oh yes, they are.

I won't buy a truck not made within our borders. I own a Ford right now. If Ford sold out like GM is doing, I'd own a Toyota or maybe this. As pointed out may times before here, GM is using a ton of foreign sourced parts now like their wheels from China. Building them in Mexico for final assembly is like pouring salt into the wound. Absolutely horrible what they are doing. Nissan is building nice trucks now and I see their new vans all over the place. If those are likewise Made in America then I say good for them. We need more American's working again. If our home companies have sold us out then I say thank God we have other companies willing to invest in our country. I thought more of Chevrolet especially than this.

You see Chevy guys up in arms over their trucks being built South of the border now.

@Mike, GM is a Chinese company now anyhow with their Buick(Opel)/GMC dealerships. Nothing but a front to support Europe and China with our money. Screw em. I say good for Nissan and the like. Thank you Nissan for proudly supporting our country unlike some other companies who operate within our borders.

I think alot of the Nissan SUVs and pickups are designed in San Diego. Nissan used to have a design studio there.

@Big Al, still do. America's are really fussy. USA made? 100% Perfect and rightfully so. Canadian made? 95% acceptable. They have been our friends and helped builf this country throughout the 20th century. Even Australian made is about 95% acceptable like Canada. American's like those 3 countries. I was in the military and I know for a fact those 3 countries are about the top 3 an American soldier would prefer to give his life for. Mexico, China and even most of Europe leave a Very sour taste in the American's mouth. GM is so stupid to do something like this I'm at a loss of words. Nissan and Toyota are smart. Japan is still respected here for the most part.

@Ken
I bought a 1986 Nissan Navara King Cab ST with a Z24 engine. I remember reading an article in a pickup mag over here which stated the Hardbody and Pathfinder where designed there.

We had two styles of the Navara back then, we had the global design and the Hardbody. The Hardbody only came with the King Cab and the rest had the "global" body panels.

It's was a true NA half tonner (but made in Japan) as well, as the global Navaras had a 2 800lb payload capacity.

In 1990 we finally recieved the V6 Navaras in the Hardbody style.

ToddMikkelsen@ So Ram builds trucks in mexico, but no one talking bout that. The cummins enignes they built in mexico for the Rams. Ford builds their powerstrokes in mexico, and some trucks in Mexico. Why single out GM you guys are a bunch of trolls. If you wanna talk Mexico why not bring them all up instead of singleing brands out.

I do agree tho with building cars in Mexico, since it's harder to make a profit on them.

@JimParsons

Here is why GM is having problems. These problems were initiated by greedy UAW workers. Seriously read this (out of todays WSJ). GM management, UAW and your government have a lot to answer for. Its a shame your economy had ended up the way it is.

China GM is profitable and you in the US and Europe are not progressing to well. You are reaping the rewards of recieving Chinese capital to assist in propping up GM.

Research what you comment on to try to ensure its accuracy.

The foreign auto manufacturers in NA don't have the institutional culture that has evolved within the Big Three.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444464304577538833979680576.html

@Big Al from Oz Yeah china is where its at now. Thats why ford is try like hell to invest there now. I do agree UAW has alot to do with the big 3 going out use the US. Most are just greedy bastards.

outside*

The front wheel arch as it integrates into the front bumper still looks odd.

While it's great that the foreign cars are being built in AMERICA
which no dought helps with american jobs. The problem is they
are built with cheep non union labor. They also don't cost less than their domestic counter parts. If people make a good living with good benefits helps the economy. People make more they spend more. I am glad to hear the out cry of people that won't buy mexican. Those jobs are not union either.(as far as I know)
I think it's a spit in the face of AMERICANS who paid G.M. bailouts and still own a % of the Co and they are growing in CHINA and MEXICO. If enough people don't buy MEXICAN then maybe they will bring the jobs back to the U.S. were they belong.

@HEMI V8 - you make it sound like employees of "non-union" auto companies are getting 2.00 dollars an hour. I believe it works out to be 20 - 25 % less than union overall. That is benfits, wages, retirement, medical etc. I think most people would be happy to be employed at 50 dollars an hour as opposed to having their job "offshored" because of a union wage of 80.00 dollars an hour (that is the entire package not actual pay per hour).
Union work also drive costs up due to featherbedding. Companies are stangled by an inflexible workforce. I have no problems paying a skilled workforce a decent wage, but if a lower primate can do the job, why pay more than banana's?

Why buy a small pickup if it only get 1mpg better then a full size?

And do not forget the millions of GM's built in Canada. I have owned 3 Silverados all built in Canada. Best pickups I have ever owned in 40 years of driving.

Thanks go out to those North people.

@Lou, Show me where it's 80 an hour. I am a skilled tradesman
and my package is close to 35.00 hour. Journeyman is about
65.00 an hour. How come you don't pay less for Toyota trucks?
Is that the greedy union? NO. They don't have one. It's company greed. Whats wrong with people making a good wage to support the family?

@Peter - there haven't been any pickups made in Canada for a while. This is the most up to date list I could find (2010):
Chevrolet Camaro
Chrysler 300
Honda Civic Si
Dodge Challenger
Acura MDX
Ford Flex
Toyota RAV4
Honda Civic (sedan & coupe)
Lexus RX350
Toyota Matrix
Dodge Charger
Lincoln MKX/Ford Edge
Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan/VW Routan
GMC Sierra Hybrid/Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet Impala
Suzuki XL7
Pontiac G6
Lincoln Town Car/Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis

If you are a muscle car fan there is the Camaro, Challenger and Charger made in Canada.
Looks like the Mustang is the only "American" one.

Back on topic - this truck needs more than a tailgate and facelift.

@Hemi V8
How much does you company pay to insure you? How much does your company pay for your retirement fund? How much does you company pay for your health cover? How much does your company pay for the other services it provides ie, parking lots, lunch rooms.

It goes on and on.

But as any union man would say they are rich. But these additional costs has to be factored into the end product and makes them more expensive, hence less competitive against imports, unless your product is unique and can offer something better or different.

@Lou, Chrysler union employees took a pay cut to help save the company. Lou watch 60 minutes about the Chrysler bail out. It is very interesting. Yes the mustang is american. It also is the only one with a Chinese transmission. Look up the american content on those three models. Camaro ,Challenger, Mustang.

@HEMI V8 - wages and benefits......wages and benefits......wages and benefits......wages and benefits......wages and benefits......wages and benefits......wages and benefits......wages and benefits......

Why don't you Google autoworker wages and benefits. It might be good for you to look at sources other than Alpar or Hemiisgod.com.

You don't pay less for a Toyota because they charge what the market will bear. Same goes for any car company.
Chevrolet and Chrysler both went bankrupt - why did that happen?
Toyota overall has remained profitable, why is that?

The difference that most people argue is making a "good" wage versus a "fair" wage.
What you think is good may not be fair to the consumer, company, or other workers looking for work.

I find it highly hypocritical of you to criticize Toyota when your favorite brand makes most of its trucks in Mexico and has its profits leaving the country to shore up Fiat's European Divisions.

6speed auto? that's wierd, since the next newer Jatco trans is a 7speed.
@HEMI- GM's pre-bankrupsy labor cost was $78 per hour. not sure what it is now. Remember that the cost of your labor is right about double of what your immediate wages are. What's wrong with people making a good wage? nothing, unless it comes at the cost of making the whole business un-viable. Greed? that's why it isn't called a charity.
I have a whole rant, but its as off-topic as most of the rest of the posts already here.

@Big al, $35.00 per hour. I do air conditioning. we have to go to school continually. I went to trade school for two years before getting hired. Been going to union school every year for 7 years. The company charges $110.00 an hour. I can't see the auto worker making huge amounts of money. Show me where they make 80.00 an hour PLEASE!!!! Again what is wrong with making a good wage. I work my ass off in the heat of the summer. The cold of the winter. I am not complaining I enjoy my work and choose this profession. The money is real good on the weekends when I work for me. $75.00 which is a deal compared to 110.00.

@Lou, Chrysler does not make most of their trucks in mexico.
SHOW ME WHERE THE AUTO WORKER GETS 80.00 AN HOUR PLEASE. Lets get the facts Lou. Not your blue oval opinion.

@mexicanhemiV8 -
Here is a link that explains it. Auto companies factor in legacy costs into that total. I explained all of this to you a while back on another post. The benefits that some guy gets who retired 10 years ago is factored into the wage and benefits of current workers.
http://www.factcheck.org/2008/12/auto-worker-salaries/
In the final analysis my 80 dollar an hour comment was more of a guestimate. Plus or minus 5 - 10 dollars an hour in an off topic discussion isn't really a big deal. It is not as if I go on and on about how wonderfully superior every Mexican made pickup is or go on and on about an extinct 41 year old engine.

@HEMI V8
How much does the office girl(s) get? Or your bosses electric bill? County and state taxes? Are there management and sales/marketing to organise and "find" work for you to do.

Have a look at the total infrastructure of the organisation you work for, someone or something has to cover the operational costs of that. Your boss doesn't pocket the left over $75.00 per hour. He still needs to insure his property, employees and I know cost insurance in the US is high.

How much a week goes into your 401k? Your health cover must cost hundreds per month.

How many jobs goe wrong or have over-runs?

All this comes out of the $110.00 per hour your boss charges. How much down time is there at your job? When you aren't working you still are costing your boss your wage plus all the benefits you are recieving.

@lou, Thank you for your wage post. Isn't that what this site is all about? Learning from others. I have no problem buying U.A.W cars and trucks. It makes me feel great to support the union workers with a good wage. You won't pay less for a Toyota that is not union made. The more money people make the more they spend. God bless the union and health and pension. My hard earned money won't go any where else.

@Big Al, If there is no work I stay home. If the work gets overwhelming my boss can have a trained professional from the union haul come out at a moments notice. It's a win win. I see your point Big Al. I know there is a lot of overhead costs. I would rather buy a U.A.W. built vehicle then a Honda, Toyota,
etc...Too support an American or Canadian worker making a good wage. What is wrong with a man that has put twenty years in or more and has some retirement. Or dies and leaves his wife and kids something for his hard work. These companies are making millions.

@HEMI V8
And all those millions goes towards your 401k, so you can have a better retirement.

Guess I got something different out of this article than the rest of you. The title of this article is "Spied! 2013 Frontier with Titaln Tallgate". I didn't think this article was which trucks are made in Mexico or Love those Chinese transmissions. I agree with Lou that this truck needs much more than a new tailgate just like Tacoma needs a new update. There is something called NAFTA which equalizes trade among all of North America. I would much rather have trucks made in Mexico than China. It is better to have more jobs for Mexicans than to have more Mexicans cross the US to try to make a living. I am not saying to outsource all the jobs from the US but we are in a world economy and in North America we should be functioning more as a continent.

As for GM being in China so are Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, VW, and some others. Union versus non Union there is planty of blame to go around with Unions and with the CEOs. I live in Kentucky which has a Toyota plant in Georgetown, KY, Ford truck plant in Louisville, KY, and a Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. I have not heard any citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky complain about having any of those plants. As a matter of fact is was the Governor of Kentucky in the 80s that went to Japan and actively recruited
Toyota to put a plant in Kentucky. How unAmerican and unUnion? Well most of us take pride in what a good citizen Toyota has been and what a valuable contribution Toyota has made to Kentucky. I am not anti Union but a job is a job and Toyota pays well.

As for the Frontier I would definitely consider a Frontier, Equator, or Tacoma if I were in the market for a new truck. The Frontier is a good solid truck but I would like to see it get a make over and become a little more compact and fuel efficient. Nissan at one time was the Number 1 compact truck in the US and the Number 1 imported truck. They have a long rich history which was articled on this website several months ago. I would like to see Nissan get back to what made their trucks so great.

Why buy a small pickup if it only get 1mpg better then a full size?

And do not forget the millions of GM's built in Canada. I have owned 3 Silverados all built in Canada. Best pickups I have ever owned in 40 years of driving.

Thanks go out to those North people.

Posted by: Peter | Jul 20, 2012 7:22:29 PM

I agree when you can get a Ram v6 eight speed that will be better in every way.

@Jeff S

Nissan is supposed to have a new Navara in a couple of years. It will interesting to find more information.

I have read that Nissan and Mitsubishi are in a joint venture just like Ford/Mazda and GM/Izuzu in developing one.

Our current Nissan Navara is built on the same line as the Mitsubishi Triton in Thailand.

I think the new Navara/Frontier will be much better than what is offered at the moment. The T6 global Ranger/BT50 and the Colorado/D-Max has livened up the small pickup market.

This will hopefully flow on to the NA market.

So Ram builds trucks in mexico, but no one talking bout that.

@JohnnyDoe, Ram isn't Chevrolet. Chevy has always marketed itself and legitimately been uniquely American. Now I fully understand it's a world economy now and I'm all for the "Build them where you sell them" mantra Fritz Henderson talked about. When they're sold here however, they should be built here. And I think that's a respectable practice for any company. Just like Japan is doing for us. Yes, they want our business so they'll respect our culture in ways they can. They build their trucks here with high American parts content. Chevrolet was always America's brand. The Heartbeat of America. When I think of America and cars a Dodge is certainly not the first thing that comes to my mind. It's the 57 Bel Air, Corvette, Chevy Trucks etc..For their truck's of all things to be built in Mexico is just a slap in the face to the American's who have supported them for over 100 years now. Dodge is Dodge. Frankly, nobody ever cared about Dodge on the level that they did about Chevrolet. Chevrolet and even Ford are 2 brands that really tug at the ol American heartstrings. GM is very foolish to go through with this. With Obama touting the salvation of GM and Romney talking about Obama's failed economy with our taxdollars going into companies outsourcing jobs to Mexico and China, I would not be surprised to see this wind up in a campaign commercial. Not cool at all GM.

Since Nissan/Infiniti have a business relationship with Mercedes, shouldn't that be MB new 9 speed auto they have been working on for YEARS.

So Ram builds trucks in mexico, but no one talking bout that.

@Johnny, dude, Dodge didn't just yank 50 billion out of the American taxpayers wallets though. Not even close. Our kids and their kids have to pay that back with interest to China. And this is what our kids inherit as a result??? The least Chevy could do is keep their trucks made here. Trucks built this great country. I think it's sad and wouldn't buy a Chevy truck now. Wouldn't have bought a Dodge either. Only Ford is the true American truck manufacturer now. As for outsourced cars, I couldn't care less about cars myself but I do agree that what's sold here should be made here. Especially thing like Mustang, Camaro, Vette, Viper, Challenger etc should all be made withing our borders though just to respect American history and culture.

With Obama touting the salvation of GM and Romney talking about Obama's failed economy with our taxdollars going into companies outsourcing jobs to Mexico and China, I would not be surprised to see this wind up in a campaign commercial

@Todd, this will get passed along to their campaign and Fox. You can count on it.

@Todd, Do some AMERICAN military history and see how much
Dodge and Chrysler are AMERICAN. Who gets millions for their
AMERICAN muscle cars? You are truly clueless by saying Dodge
was and is not AMERICAN. Dodge put their drive train into Ford cars.

I like this truck. Best looking smaller truck out there IMO. Much better than the upcoming Colorado. And yep, made right here at home by American labor. Guys complaining about non union labor, who cares? What's better, Nissan offering American's jobs with a good and fair wage or Chevy sending jobs to Mexico? If I were buying a smaller truck, Nissan would be getting my sale. Toyota would be next on my list. I like their Tacoma looks too but they need to redo the grille. For a fullsize truck it's Ford now all the way. A Silverado from Mexico? No Thanks!

I like this truck. Best looking smaller truck out there IMO. Much better than the upcoming Colorado. And yep, made right here at home by American labor. Guys complaining about non union labor, who cares? What's better, Nissan offering American's jobs with a good and fair wage or Chevy sending jobs to Mexico? If I were buying a smaller truck, Nissan would be getting my sale. Toyota would be next on my list. I like their Tacoma looks too but they need to redo the grille. For a fullsize truck it's Ford now all the way. A Silverado from Mexico? No Thanks!

Posted by: Monte | Jul 20, 2012 9:47:27 PM

NISSAN BUILT IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@HemiV8- don't you live in California?
"The cold of winter" seems to be a bit of an overstatement.
I just thought that was funny.
Try Northern Canada.
I bet my summer is as hot as your winter. LOL
Have a good evening.

Todd, Do some AMERICAN military history and see how much
Dodge and Chrysler are AMERICAN. Who gets millions for their
AMERICAN muscle cars? You are truly clueless by saying Dodge
was and is not AMERICAN. Dodge put their drive train into Ford cars.

@HemiV8, I never said Dodge wasn't American although I don't consider them to be now. And I fully recognize Dodge's part in American history. My point was and is, it wasn't quite on the same level that Ford and Chevrolet are/were. Dodge was never the "Heartbeat Of America" and Henry Ford is considered an American Hero. Dodge just didn't stir up the same emotions for most. Obviously they did for you though and that's cool.

@lou, It's no where near your cold. Take off hoser.

@JeffS - maybe one day we can have a chat about trucks. How about we log onto Mitt Romney's blog. There might be less politics there than here. LOL

@HEMI V8 - EH?

@Lou and Jeff

Here is an article from last year regarding the partnership between Nissan and Mitsubishi to build and develop a 1 tonner pickup truck (global).

The paragraph is about the sixth or seventh one down. But the whole article makes for good reading.

It gives you an idea on their (Nissan/Mitsubishi) view on the NA market and production plans.

http://wot.motortrend.com/mitsubishis-product-plan-kill-galant-endeavor-eclipse-develop-pickup-nissan-24799.html