Almost anyone connected to the Indian Army before the 2000s has a story about the legendary ‘Jonga’. This rugged workhorse, a versatile vehicle that could conquer almost any terrain, was an Army staple for over 50 years. But here’s a lesser-known fact: the Jonga was actually a license-produced version of the first-generation Nissan Patrol SUV. While Toyota’s Land Cruiser often steals the spotlight for its image, the Patrol matches it in sheer capability.
Nissan, the Japanese automaker, officially entered India more than 25 years ago — but the Patrol itself was never sold here. That could change next year if Nissan India imports the latest Patrol generation, though it’s expected to be a premium-priced beast costing over a crore. But before that, Nissan plans to launch a smaller sibling — the ‘Tekton’ SUV.
The Tekton borrows design cues from the Patrol, especially its signature ‘Double C’ elements, giving it an aggressive and standout look. Sharing a platform with the upcoming Renault Duster, the Tekton aims to break the mold in a crowded SUV segment.
But can the Tekton revive Nissan’s fortunes in India? The company’s journey here has been a rollercoaster. After a strong start with the Micra and Sunny, and the bold Datsun revival championed by the now-controversial Carlos Ghosn, Nissan has struggled. The Magnite subcompact SUV is currently its only strong seller, moving around 1500 units a month, a bit player in a segment where top-sellers such as the Tata Nexon and Maruti-Suzuki Brezza frequently cross 15,000 units monthly.
Nissan’s Indian operations were hit hard by the fallout from Ghosn’s dramatic arrest and escape — the man behind the brand’s Indian push and the Nissan-Renault alliance. The ambitious Oragadam plant in Tamil Nadu, once Nissan’s majority stake, was sold to Renault earlier this year. Though Nissan will still manufacture vehicles there under a license agreement, including the Tekton, the partnership is winding down.
Globally, Nissan faces challenges —especially with plunging sales in China. They’ll be counting on India to carry some weight. But the SUV battlefield here is fierce: alongside the Tekton, the 2026 lineup includes the new Renault Duster, a revamped Kia Seltos, an upgraded Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, plus electric newcomers like the eVitara and a Honda EV.
For Nissan to make a mark with the Tekton, it will need more than just a solid product — it may require deep marketing pockets and perhaps a rescue from a ‘white knight’ other than Honda.
The Jonga was just the beginning. The road ahead for Nissan in India will be anything but smooth.
