Nissan resurrects the Datsun brand

CNN ^ | March 21, 2012 | Kevin Voigt

[derfel]

Nissan Motor Company announced the return of the Datsun brand after 30 years, with plans to introduce a low-cost car in several emerging markets in 2014.

In a nod to the growing importance of developing markets, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn made the announcement Tuesday in Indonesia, one of three markets the new car line will debut.

[roadcat]

Yes, they do. I was joking about the Dot thing. I have several books on their history. Goes back to 1911, Masujuro Hashimoto founded the Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works. His first car was exhibited in 1914. His financial backers names provided the initials for a name. The DAT firm in 1923 merged with Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo (which means Practical Automobile Manufacturing), and became DAT Jidosha Seizo Company, Ltd. Doesn’t roll off the tongue, does it? In 1933 it was renamed Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Between then and 1938, they had technical assistance from the American Graham-Paige Motor Car Company. So Americans had an influence on their cars before WWII. Much of the Nissan production facilities were in Manchuria and disappeared into the Russian hands after the war. The Japan facilities were taken over by the Americans, where they allowed resumption of manufacturing of Datsun trucks and cars. In 1949, they took the name Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.

A lot of fascinating history there. I’ve met Yutaka Katayama several times, he was the one who built Nissan Motor Corporation USA, he’s mostly known as Mr. K. He was the founder of the Sports Car Club of Japan in 1951, and simply loved sports cars. He is the main guy who pushed the 240Z and made it popular.

[Oztrich Boy]

My perception at the time, unlike all those here with fond Datsun memories, was the name Datsun was tied to the old “made from beer cans” meme about Japanese products being inferior

It's hard to see that as a reason to drop the name in the 80s. By that time Datsun has a reputation on four continents of building nearly unbreakable rally cars.

1966 East African Safari Rally. 88 cars entered, two of them Datsun 411s.
Nine cars finished, two of them Datsun 411s: 1st, 2d in class, 5th, 6th outright.

Class win by a 510 in 1969. Outright wins by Datsuns in 1970, 71, 73. By this stage 40 of the 85 entrants were Datsuns - Porsches, BMWs, Volvos being considered too fragile.

Then there was the 1971 U2 Trans-Am.

IN the 70s, the BMW2002 was known as the rich mans Datsun 510.

Ten years later Nissan Co threw that all away.

[Revolting cat!]

I'm still waiting for the revival of the legendary Trabi brand!

It's NOT GUILTY fer shore!

[Windflier]

'76 Datsun B210. One of the best damn cars I've ever owned.

[doorgunner69]

As I posted, no idea why they dropped the name. Just that for many into cars at the time, it was synonymous with cheap.

Wife had a Sentra that I had to drive for several months. Also borrowed one of those 280Z things for a while. Not like I have no personal experience with their cars.

And a hand built race car has absolutely nothing to do with factory produced street cars, but you knew that.

The Trans-Am 510s were very cool. Datsun sold a bunch of nice race bits for them. Can't do that now with the EPA BS. I seriously thought about buying and building my own street legal Trans-Am car.

[jjotto]

Great history.

The relevant thing I recall from spending most of my life in Minnesota is that Japanese cars had inadequate batteries and were prone to rust in the harsh climate. But they got ahead of the curve, correcting those and other problems while American manufacturers disrespected their customers and their competition.

[Liberty Valance]

bttt

[Rebelbase]

41 mpg 37 years ago.

[Oztrich Boy]

Unfortnately, that, aka Sunny, aka 120Y was not a car that enchanced Datsun’s reputation.

[central_va]

It took awhile but I now see that there is actually a car in that picture.

[central_va]

Datsun built barges and landing craft for the IJN during WWII. PS: they were armored and more capable than our higgins boats.