Oting Paladin SUV: Chinese Nissan for Russia

Oting is another new brand entering the Russian market. But its origins are very confusing. This brand was invented by Sinomach Automobile, which is one of the ten largest car dealer groups in China. The parent corporation Sinomach produces tractors, excavators, construction and road equipment, as well as a wide range of automotive components, but there are no passenger cars or passenger cars in the production program. Russia has become the first export market for the corporation, and under the Oting brand we will be supplied with… cars produced by the Chinese joint venture Zhengzhou Nissan.

It was created by Dongfeng and Nissan to produce joint models for the domestic market. Nissan left Russia a year ago, and Dongfeng already has a local distributor – the Motorinvest company. And it not only supplies us with Dongfeng DF6 pickups produced by this same joint venture, but in addition, it recently announced an expansion of the Russian range. However, now Sinomach is trying to seize the initiative, and its first model was the Oting Paladin frame SUV.

It debuted in China last summer under the name Dongfeng Paladin, but in fact is a variation of the 2018 Nissan Terra model. Such cars are produced by the Zhengzhou Nissan joint venture, but if the Terra is a completely Nissan development (production is also carried out in Thailand), then the Paladin has been modified and redesigned by the Chinese side.

On the outside, Paladin and Terra, 4882 mm long, differ only in logos and nameplates, but the Paladin’s interior is different – with a large vertical media system screen (10 or 12 inches) and a non-locking transmission control joystick. And most importantly, a different power unit was installed. Paladin has a two-liter Mitsubishi 4K31 petrol turbo engine (218 hp in Russian specification) and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Four configurations have been announced for our market. The basic one, called Deluxe, has only rear-wheel drive, two airbags, halogen headlights and leatherette seat upholstery, and the expected price is 3.8 million rubles. The Premium version for 4.25 million is a rigidly connected all-wheel drive (with reduction gear and rear differential lock), leather interior and electric front seats.

Oting Paladin in the Intellect package has side airbags, virtual instruments, an enlarged media system display (12 inches) and adaptive cruise control, and the price is 4.4 million rubles. Finally, the top version of Prestige for 4.5 million is equipped with a set of electronic assistants.

It is stated that Sinomach Automobile has signed a five-year distribution agreement with the Zhengzhou Nissan joint venture. Oting Paladin SUVs should enter our market in mid-January; at the first stage, the dealer network will include 15 car dealerships. Later, a pickup truck should appear under the Oting brand – the same Dongfeng DF6, but with a different logo. Interestingly, the Motorinvest company is also not abandoning its plans to sell Dongfeng cars, so it is possible that “Chinese Nissans” will indeed be sold here under two brands. Or one of the distributors will have to move.