Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Million-Mile Nissan Frontier Retired

After more than a million miles of hard work, Brian Murphy’s 2007 Nissan Frontier is headed home. The Million Mile Frontier will retire where it was assembled, the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Smyrna, Tenn.

August 4, 2020
Million-Mile Nissan Frontier Retired

Brian Murphy shows off his million-mile 2007 Nissan Frontier (right) and his brand-new 2020-MY replacement.

Photo: Nissan 

2 min to read


After more than a million miles of hard work, Brian Murphy’s 2007 Nissan Frontier is headed home. Murphy swapped his “Million-Mile” Frontier for a new 2020 Frontier at M’Lady Nissan in Crystal Lake, the same dealership where he bought his 2007 Frontier more than 13 years ago. The Million Mile Frontier will retire where it was assembled, the Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Smyrna, Tenn.

Nissan first celebrated Murphy and his million miler during the reveal of the 2020 Frontier at the Chicago Auto Show in February. During a short ceremony on Tuesday, Nissan presented Murphy with a new 2020 Frontier, which is now available at select Nissan dealers nationwide with a starting MSRP1 of $26,790.

Ad Loading...

“Brian Murphy is the quintessential Frontier owner, so it’s fitting that he will be driving one of the first 2020 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 one million miles.”

The 2020 Nissan Frontier features an all-new, powerful 3.8-liter direct injection V6 engine and all-new 9-speed automatic transmission – featuring best-in-class horsepower1 and improved fuel economy2. That will be a significant upgrade for all Frontier owners, and especially for Murphy, whose 2007 Frontier still has its original 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

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 2020 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 2020 Frontier will bring the same durability that I’ve relied on for over 13 years.”

Ad Loading...

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 2007 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.

More Vehicle Research

POV the truck on the show floor says stop kicking me with image of tire being kicked

POV: You’re the Truck Everyone Won’t Stop Kicking

From tire kickers and door slammers to the hundredth “what engine’s in this thing” question, life on the show floor isn’t exactly easy. In this mockumentary-style video, we flip the script and give you the POV of an Isuzu truck sitting front and center at the booth.

Read More →
Transparent image of the front of a Mack Truck with a darkened windshield.

Mack Trucks Debuts Mack ImpactShield Windshield Technology on All-New Mack Granite

Mack Trucks will now offer the Mack ImpactShield, a windshield made with Corning Fusion5 Glass, as standard equipment on the all-new Mack Granite vocational trucks starting later this year.

Read More →
Composite image showing four different photos of a truck ranging from desert to snow, with an orange stripe across the middle of the image with while logos for International and CV Series.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 29, 2026

International CV Series: Medium-Duty Workhorse to End Production

Although International will end production of its CV Series in September, dealers will continue to support the Class 4-6 work truck, and International sees the MV Series filling the niche needs of fleets that have depended on the CV.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White off-road utility truck in the desert.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 28, 2026

Acela Truck Company Unveils Monterra II Cab-Over Commercial Truck Chassis

Acela Truck Company is replacing its Monterra with the new Monterra II, which it recently debuted. The new truck will be offered in day cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations, along with 4x4 and 6x6 drivetrain options.

Read More →
Image of mountains and multiple small images of truck drivers, headline Last Week to Enter and logo for Star National Experience.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 27, 2026

Final Week to Register for Western Star’s Star Nation Experience

This is the final week to register to be part of the Star Nation Experience, a Western Star event that celebrates professional drivers, their skills, and their expertise. It is an all-expenses-paid event built around competition, camaraderie, and the “Never Back Down” spirit that defines the Western Star community.

Read More →
Chris Wolfe presents Freightliner Custom Chassis MT lineup at Work Truck Week 2026, featuring work-in van designs, mobile tool trucks, and utility workspace applications.
Vehicle Researchby Lauren FletcherApril 23, 2026

Not Your Average Work Truck | Freightliner MT Walkaround

Freightliner MT chassis walkthrough from Work Truck Week 2026, featuring real-world applications, mobile workspaces, and fleet-ready configurations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man standing and talking with clasped hands in front of a poster for Isuzu truck with logo for Truck Chat and Work Truck and headline Latest Trucks & Upfits.
Sponsoredby Lauren FletcherApril 21, 2026

Tour Isuzu’s Latest Trucks & Upfits

Check out Isuzu Commercial Truck of America’s latest trucks as Brian Tabel, assistant vice president of marketing, gives us the tour and provides an update on new features and special upfits.

Read More →
Man in business attire talking and gesturing in front of a truck, tinted blue background, with yellow headline Reading's New Service Bodies, and logos for Truck Chat and Work Truck.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 20, 2026

Reading Truck Launches New Service Bodies

Let’s take a look at the latest service bodies from Reading Truck, the RHD-46 and the RHD-67. Plus, in this video, you will learn about the new Combo Body.

Read More →
Man talking and gesturing in front of a large Kenworth truck, tinted blue in the background, and yellow headline Kenworth's T880S Performance Hood and logos for Truck Chat and Work Truck.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 20, 2026

Advantages of the Kenworth T880S Performance Hood

Take a look at Kenworth’s T880S Performance Hood and hear its advantages from Alex Reid, Kenworth’s vocational marketing manager. He also provides a short overview of the other members of the T880 lineup.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Person gesturing toward a big truck, tinted blue in background image, with yellow headline Kenworth's T480 and logos for Work Truck and Truck Chat.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 17, 2026

Walkaround of Kenworth’s T480 Vocational Truck

Work Truck checks out the Kenworth T480, a workhorse of Kenworth’s vocational lineup. This video tour digs into the details of a Class 8 T480 equipped as a water truck.

Read More →