Nissan Clipper Mini Trucks
Nissan is a household name, but its presence in the mini truck market has always been limited, with no fully original models of its own. Instead, it has strategically collaborated with other manufacturers known for their mini truck expertise to address this segment in its lineup
Jump To Section
Nissan is a globally recognized brand, yet this hasn’t resulted in the development of a dedicated mini truck model under its name. It seems likely that the company either prefers to focus on other priorities or sees the competition in this segment as a potential challenge.
Nissan’s solution? The Nissan Clipper Truck and Nissan Clipper Van, both rebadged mini trucks sourced from other manufacturers. With that in mind, let’s explore the specifics of these Japanese mini truck models in more detail.
Model History
Although not as quick to enter the OEM rebadge market as Mazda, Nissan still made a relatively early move into the mini truck segment through badge engineering in 2003. Interestingly, instead of partnering with the sales leader at the time (Suzuki) or the rapidly growing Daihatsu, Nissan selected Mitsubishi, a smaller player, to rebadge their Minicab under the newly created ‘Clipper’ nameplate.
From Nissan’s perspective, it was a surprising choice. However, for Mitsubishi, it made a lot of sense, as the partnership helped bolster production numbers for a model that was struggling to gain traction. With that context, here’s an example of one of these earlier Nissan Clippers:
By 2013, the first-generation model had grown outdated, and it was clear a replacement was overdue. At this point, Nissan’s decision to partner with Mitsubishi was starting to seem like a questionable move. Mitsubishi had stopped focusing on the development and sales of its own mini trucks, instead choosing to rebadge vehicles from other manufacturers. Without Mitsubishi producing mini trucks for Nissan anymore, the pressing question became: who would build the next generation of Clippers?
Nissan had no choice but to find a new partner. With its established partnerships with Mitsubishi and Renault, there was no realistic chance of the Toyota group allowing Daihatsu Hijets to be rebadged as Clippers. This left Nissan with only one viable option: Suzuki. Beginning in December 2013, the second-generation Nissan Clipper trucks and vans entered the market. These new models were based on Suzuki’s DA16T Carry and DA16V Every, ensuring Nissan could continue offering mini trucks despite the challenges of securing a new manufacturing partner.
Equipment & Options
Nissan Clippers based on Suzuki’s Carry and Every models are available in two configurations: a van-style design and the traditional mini truck format. The mini truck variant carries the NT100 designation, while the van model is designated NV100.
Since Mini Truck Depot specializes in off-road Japanese mini trucks, any Nissan Clipper models you may listed here will come equipped with 4WD. There are two standard transmission options: a 5-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic. Additionally, for the mini truck, a ‘Farming Package’ manual transmission is available, featuring an ultra-low range gear for enhanced off-road capability. For further details about these transmission options, refer to the main Suzuki Carry page here.
Lastly, the Nissan Clipper Truck models also offer dumping bed configurations, mirroring the versatility of their Suzuki counterparts. You can find more information about these practical variants here.
Buying Nissan Clipper Japanese Mini Trucks
You may come across Nissan Clippers for sale here at Mini Truck Depot from time to time. However, if you’re searching for an almost-new or lightly used Japanese mini truck of this type, you’ll find far more options by choosing the Suzuki Carry or Suzuki Every counterparts instead of holding out for a Nissan Clipper in particular. On top of that, the original Suzuki models also offer a wider range of color choices, giving you more variety.
In the end, though, our recommendation isn’t the Nissan Clipper or even its Suzuki cousins, the Carry or Every. Instead, it’s the model that has been Japan’s best-selling mini truck for well over a decade—the Daihatsu Hijet. With its proven reputation, extensive features, and versatility, the Hijet continues to set the standard in the Japanese mini truck market, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of off-road needs.
