MILLION-MILE NISSAN FRONTIER RETURNS HOME TO SMYRNA

AFTER more than a million miles of hard work, Brian Murphy’s ’07 Nissan Frontier is headed home. Murphy swapped his “Million-mile” Frontier for a new ’20 Frontier at M’lady Nissan in Crystal Lake, Tennessee, the same dealership where he bought his ’07 Frontier more than 13 years ago. The Million Mile Frontier will retire where it was assembled, the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

“Brian Murphy is the quintessential Frontier owner, so it’s fitting that he will be driving one of the first ’20 Frontier pickups in America,” said Craig Keeys, regional vice president, Nissan Midwest Region, Nissan North America. “Thank you, Brian, for illustrating the durability and reliability of the Frontier for more than 13 years and 1 million miles.”

According to Murphy—an independent delivery driver who regularly spends 13 hours a day on the road—the original clutch on his Frontier King Cab lasted 801,000 miles, the timing chain was replaced as preventative at 700,000 miles, and the radiator and alternator lasted about 450,000 miles each. Even the driver’s seat lasted a half-million miles before being replaced.

And though it still “runs great,” said Murphy, he’s ready for his new ’20 Frontier SV King Cab 4x4. “I’ll miss this truck, no doubt, but I’m glad it’s going back ‘home’ to Smyrna,” said Murphy. “At the same time, I’m ready for my next chapter, and I can’t wait to experience my new Frontier and its all-new powertrain. I know that this ’20 Frontier will bring the same durability that I’ve relied on for over 13 years.”

Murphy, 62, says he’d like to reduce his work hours over the next few years, making a “Million-mile Frontier 2” unlikely—but not completely out of the picture.

“I’d never say never—especially in a Frontier.”

While Murphy’s ’07 Frontier came off the assembly line in Smyrna, the 2020 Frontier is now assembled at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, Mississippi. The Canton plant will also be the home of the forthcoming, all-new Frontier.