Z9 PHEV: Dongfeng to launch Nissan Frontier Pro twin in PH?

It looks like the BYD Shark and Changan Hunter will soon have a new competitor in the plug-in hybrid pickup truck segment.

The Department of Energy has updated its list of recognized electrified vehicles in the country, and there’s a new entry from Dongfeng with the Z9 PHEV.

For those not in the know, the Dongfeng Z9 PHEV is the pickup twin of the Nissan Frontier Pro that was revealed at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. The two models are produced by the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture in China, much like the Rich 7 and Rich 6 pickup trucks that were based on the D23 Navara.

The Z9 PHEV is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder and an electric motor that puts out a combined 326 PS in the standard variant, and 435 PS in its high output variant with 800 Nm of torque. Moreover, the 32.86 kWh battery gives it an all-electric range of up to 135 km based on the CLTC cycle.

There’s a 2WD and a 4WD version of the Z9 PHEV, while its exterior and interior design are completely identical to the Frontier Pro, sans the different badges and the D21 hardbody-inspired DRL design in front.

However, we’re yet to confirm if the Dongfeng Z9 PHEV will be brought into the country and sold under official Dongfeng dealerships in the country, or it will come from a gray market importer. But should it come from the former, then we could see an interesting matchup between this and the BYD Shark.