Nissan Arizon electric SUV concept unveiled, Australia likely to miss out

The Nissan Arizon concept has been unveiled at the Shanghai motor show this week, with the Japanese company previewing a future electric vehicle aimed at the Chinese market.

While an Australian launch hasn't been ruled out for the production version of the Arizon electric SUV, Nissan says the vehicle was created by a Chinese design team for the Chinese market.

The Arizon is underpinned by 'CMF-EV' architecture – an electric-vehicle platform born from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance – and shared with the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.

Designed with a pillarless cabin and featuring a large auto-dimming glass roof, the Arizon also introduces new personal assistant technology named 'Eporo' which can interact with passengers "in a human-like manner," the company says.

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“Going forward, software-defined vehicles will continue to redefine [vehicles] … making cars a more and more integrated part of our digital lifestyle,” Nissan boss Ashwani Gupta said at the concept's debut.

The production version of the Arizon concept is expected to be one of the 19 new electric vehicles Nissan has promised before 2030.

Nissan hasn't given a timeline for when the Arizon will hit showrooms, but given previous concept cars from the brand, it's expected to enter production within the next two years.