Was Nissan PH late in bringing in the all-new Livina?

It might have taken some time, but Nissan Philippines Inc (NPI) has officially returned to the MPV segment after launching the 2023 Livina. Now based on the Mitsubishi Xpander, the Livina gets a striking V-Motion front grille, a new and more spacious interior, as well as a 1.5-liter four-cylinder four-cylinder engine derived from its fellow Alliance member.

But whereas the Mitsubishi Xpander was already available in 2018 in the Philippine market (the facelifted version was launched last May 2022), the Livina only just arrived. First revealed in the Indonesian market back in February 2019, we originally thought the Livina would immediately follow in the Xpander's footsteps. Instead, it took more than 3 years before the company actually brought it to the country.

Curious, we asked NPI president Juan Manuel Hoyos why the all-new Livina only arrived just now in the Philippines. According to Hoyos, they felt now was the right moment to launch the Livina for the Philippine market. With the MPV segment continuing to grow, it presented an opportunity for Nissan to expand its 7-seater models aside from the Terra midsize SUV.

Hoyos added that the Livina will now serve as the brand's most affordable three-row model. Combined with the fact that restrictions are easing and people are once again traveling, the Livina will serve as the perfect road companion for growing families and young professionals.

With the Xpander's twin now in the country, will the all-new Livina serve as a worthy contender in the compact MPV market that's populated by the likes of the Toyota Avanza, Suzuki Ertiga, and Mitsubishi's own? We'll find out in the coming weeks and months after Nissan Livina sales begin next week, September 15, 2022.