Nissan: from modest workshops to global leadership - the complete history of the company

When you hear the name Nissan, images of reliable crossovers, sports GT-R and innovative electric vehicles Leaf. But few people know that the history of this company began more than a century ago with the production of... bicycle parts! Today Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a transnational corporation with a turnover of tens of billions of dollars, but the path to the top was thorny.

In this article we will look in detail at how a small Japanese company Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works has grown into one of the largest automakers in the world. You will learn about key milestones company development, revolutionary models that changed the industry, and how Nissan became the first Japanese automaker to begin mass production of vehicles in the United States back in 1983.. Are you ready for an exciting journey through decades of innovation and challenge?

1911–1933: The birth of a legend - from bicycles to the first cars

It all started in 1911, when an entrepreneur Masujiro Hashimoto founded the company Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works in Tokyo. Initially, the company was engaged in the production of parts for bicycles, but three years later it produced its first car - DAT (short for investors' surnames: Den, Aoyama, Takeuchi). This car became the first Japanese production car, although it was assembled by hand.

In 1918 the company was renamed Kwaishinsha Motorcar Co., and in 1925 merged with Jitsuyo Jidosha Co., forming DAT Jidosha Seizo Co.. It was then that the prototype of the future logo appeared - a red circle with a white rectangle inside, symbolizing the rising sun. It's interesting that the title Nissan (from Nippon Sangyo - "Japanese Industry") appeared only in 1928 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

• 🚲 1911 - Foundation Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works (production of bicycle parts)
• 🚗 1914 — Release of the first car DAT (3-cylinder, 10 hp)
• 🏭 1925 - Merger with Jitsuyo Jidosha and education DAT Jidosha Seizo
• 📈 1928 — Appearance of the name Nissan on the stock exchange

The first DAT cars were extremely primitive by modern standards: a wooden body, no brakes on the front wheels, a maximum speed of 32 km/h. However, they laid the foundation for future success. By 1930, the company was already producing trucks and buses, and in 1931 it produced the first passenger car under the brand Datsun (from DAT + son - "son").

1934–1945: Datsun era and military challenges

1934 was a turning point - the company officially changed its name to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and began active development. It was during this period that the legendary Datsun Type 11 - the first mass-produced car of the brand, which became a symbol of the Japanese automobile industry. The car was equipped with a 750 cc engine producing 15 hp. and accelerated to 70 km/h, which was an impressive result at that time.

However, the outbreak of World War II made adjustments to the company's plans. Nissan was forced to refocus on military products:

- Truck production Nissan Model 70 for the Japanese army

- Production of aircraft engines and aircraft parts

- Creation of prototypes of armored vehicles (for example, Nissan Model 97)

Model	Year of manufacture	Features	Production (pieces)
Datsun Type 11	1932	First mass-produced Datsun, 750 cm³, 15 hp.	~150
Nissan Model 70	1937	Military truck, 3.4 l, 65 hp.	~3,000
Datsun Type 13	1934	Improved version of Type 11, 722 cm³	~450
Nissan Model 97	1939	Armored vehicle prototype, 4.1 l, 75 hp.	~50

The war years were a difficult ordeal: Allied bombing destroyed 90% of Nissan's production capacity. However, it was this period that taught the company adaptability And innovative thinking, which later helped it recover and enter the global market.

⚠️ Attention: Many post-war Nissan models (for example, Datsun DB-2 1947) were assembled from the remains of military equipment. This led to reliability problems that the company spent decades correcting.

1946–1960: Post-war revival and entry into the global market

After Japan's surrender in 1945, Nissan found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Factories were destroyed, equipment was lost, and the occupation authorities banned the production of trucks. The company had to start from scratch - literally from the production of cookers and motor boats. Only in 1947 was it possible to resume production of cars under the brand Datsun.

The key event was the release in 1950 Datsun DB-4 - the first post-war sedan with a completely new design. The car was equipped with an 860 cc engine producing 25 hp. and became the first Japanese model exported to the United States (1958). This move marked the beginning of Nissan's global expansion.

• 🔥 1947 - Resumption of car production (Datsun DB-2)
• 🚢 1950 — Issue Datsun DB-4 (first post-war sedan)
• 🌍 1958 - Beginning of export to the USA (model Datsun 1000)
• 🏆 1959 - Victory Datsun 210 in the Australian rally Redex Round Australia

A partnership with a British company played an important role in the restoration Austin Motor Company. In 1952, Nissan received a license to produce the model Austin A40, which allowed us to master modern body production technologies. By the end of the 1950s, Nissan was already producing 20,000 cars a year and was actively developing new markets.

1960–1980: The Golden Age - How Nissan Conquered America

The 1960s were a period of rapid growth for Nissan. The company was the first Japanese automaker to begin mass production outside Japan, opening a plant in Mexico in 1966. But the real breakthrough came in the USA, where Datsun has become synonymous with reliability and availability.

Key models of this period:

- Datsun 510 (1968) - "Japanese BMW", winner of the Trans-Am Series

- Datsun 240Z (1970) - a sports coupe that became a legend

- Datsun Sunny (1966) - a compact sedan that conquered Europe

- Datsun Pickup (1955) - the first Japanese pickup truck in the USA

Occupies a special place Datsun 240Z - a car that once and for all changed the world's understanding of Japanese cars. The stylish coupe with a 2.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine (151 hp) accelerated to 200 km/h and cost only $3,500 - half the price of European competitors. Over 6 years, more than 165,000 copies were sold!

Why has the Datsun 240Z become a cult classic?

This car combined European design (designed by Albrecht von Hertz), Japanese reliability and American affordability. Its L24 engine was so durable that many examples lasted more than 300,000 miles without major overhaul. In addition, the 240Z became the first Japanese car to seriously compete with Porsche and Jaguar in the global market.

By 1975, Nissan ranked third in US sales among imported brands, behind only Volkswagen and Toyota. The success was due to three factors:

1. Reliability — engine life exceeded 200,000 km

2. Economical — fuel consumption 8-10 l/100 km in the era of the oil crisis

3. Price — 20-30% cheaper than European analogues

⚠️ Attention: In 1981, Nissan made a strategic decision to abandon the brand Datsun in favor of a single name Nissan in all markets. This step caused a mixed reaction - many Americans are still nostalgic for the “good old Datsun”.

1980–2000: Technological revolution and alliance with Renault

The 1980s were a time of technological breakthroughs. Nissan was the first among Japanese manufacturers to use:

- Turbocharging on production models (Nissan 300ZX Turbo, 1984)

- Four-wheel drive on sports cars (Nissan Skyline GT-R, 1989)

- Electronic engine control (Nissan Silvia, 1983)

However, by the mid-1990s the company faced serious problems:

- US market share fell from 6.3% to 4.5%

- Debt exceeded $20 billion

- Production capacity was only 52% loaded

Became a salvation alliance with Renault (1999), who brought a new CEO to the company - Carlos Ghosn. His recovery plan included:

- Closure of 5 factories and reduction of 21,000 jobs

- Reduction in the number of suppliers from 1,100 to 600

- Introduction of a modular platform Nissan B-platform

Closing unprofitable factories in Japan and Europe|Reducing debt from $20 billion to $6 billion|Introducing a common platform with Renault|Launch of the Nissan 180 program (1 million additional sales in 3 years)|Creating a premium division of Infiniti-->

The results were not long in coming: by 2001, Nissan had returned to profitability, and by 2004 it became the most profitable Japanese automaker. The model became a symbol of revival Nissan X-Trail (2000) - the company's first compact crossover, which laid the foundation for future success in this segment.

2000–present: Electrification and new challenges

Nissan met the new millennium with ambitious plans. In 2010 the company introduced Nissan Leaf - the world's first mass-produced electric car. This model was a real breakthrough:

- Sales exceeded 500,000 copies by 2020

- Cruising range increased from 117 km (2010) to 385 km (2022)

- Price has decreased by 40% in 10 years

However, not all initiatives were successful. Project Nissan DeltaWing (2012) - a revolutionary racing prototype with a 1.6 liter engine and weighing 475 kg - never went into production. And an attempt to capture the premium segment with a brand Infiniti faced stiff competition from Lexus and Acura.

Today Nissan faces new challenges:

- Transition to electric vehicles (target: 40% of sales by 2030)

- Competition with Tesla and Chinese brands

- Optimization of the alliance with Renault (plans for restructuring by 2026)

- Development of autonomous driving technologies (system ProPILOT 2.0)

Year	Event	Meaning
2010	Launch Nissan Leaf	The first mass-produced electric car
2016	Presentation Nissan GT-R Nismo (600 hp)	The most powerful production GT-R
2019	Scandal with Carlos Ghosn	Arrest of ex-CEO on charges of financial fraud
2021	Presentation Nissan Ariya	The company's first electric crossover
2023	Alliance renewal with Renault	New cross-shareholding agreement

Legendary Nissan models: from Skyline to GT-R

Throughout its history, Nissan has produced dozens of iconic models, but some of them have become real legends:

Nissan Skyline (1957–present) - a flagship model that has gone from a compact sedan to a supercar. The version is especially famous Skyline GT-R (1969), nicknamed "Godzilla" for its racing dominance. I wonder what Skyline was originally a company product Prince Motor Company, which Nissan absorbed in 1966.

Nissan GT-R (2007–present) - the successor to the Skyline GT-R, which became a separate model. A car with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 (up to 600 hp in the Nismo version) accelerates to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. The GT-R is famous for its system ATTESA E-TS (electronically controlled all-wheel drive), which allows you to reach high speeds even on wet roads.

Nissan Z-series (1970–present) - a line of sports cars that began with 240Z and continuing today Nissan Z Proto. These cars have always combined an affordable price with high driving performance. For example, 300ZX Twin Turbo (1990) developed 300 hp. and accelerated to 250 km/h, making it one of the fastest production cars of the time.

• 🏁 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (1989) - "Godzilla", winner of 29 races in a row
• ⚡ Nissan GT-R R35 (2007) - 600 hp, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 2.7 s
• 💨 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (1990) - 300 hp, maximum speed 250 km/h
• 🌱 Nissan Leaf (2010) - first mass-produced electric car, 500,000+ sold

Less known, but no less important models:

- Nissan Patrol (1951) - a legendary SUV that competes with the Land Cruiser

- Nissan Micra (1982) - compact hatchback, sold 5 million copies

- Nissan Qashqai (2006) - the first compact crossover, creating a new market segment

Nissan in Russia: from Zhiguli to local production

The history of Nissan in Russia began in 1971, when the first Nissan Patrol for the needs of the KGB and the police. However, mass penetration of the brand into the Russian market occurred only in the 1990s with models Nissan Sunny And Nissan Primera.

The turning point came in 2005, when Nissan began local production at the plant in St. Petersburg. Today they are releasing:

- Nissan Qashqai (since 2014)

- Nissan X-Trail (since 2009)

- Nissan Murano (since 2015)

Interesting facts about Nissan in Russia:

- In 2012 Nissan Almera became the first foreign car whose localization exceeded 60%

- In 2014, Nissan took 3rd place in sales in Russia among foreign brands

- In 2022, the company suspended plant operations due to sanctions, but retained service support for existing customers

Features of the Russian Nissan line:

- Adaptation to local conditions (increased ground clearance, crankcase protection)

- Use of local suppliers (up to 70% of components for Almera)

- Special versions for harsh climates (eg Qashqai Arctic Edition)

⚠️ Attention: After leaving the Russian market in 2022, Nissan transferred the rights to the brand to the state auto center AvtoVAZ. Now the models Qashqai And X-Trail sold under the brand AVTONISSAN with limited warranty.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan history

Why did Nissan abandon the Datsun brand?

The decision was made in 1981 for several reasons:

1. Simplify your marketing strategy - one brand Nissan in all markets

2. Increasing the status of the company - name Datsun associated with budget cars

3. Legal problems - in some countries the name Datsun was registered by other companies

4. Global expansion - Nissan wanted to position itself as a global player, not just a Japanese manufacturer

However, in 2013 the brand Datsun was revived for budget models in emerging markets (India, Indonesia, Russia).

Which Nissan model was the first Japanese car to win an international race?

This model became Datsun 210, which in 1958 took 3rd place overall and won the under 1000 cc class at the Australian rally Redex Round Australia. This was the first major international achievement of the Japanese automobile industry.

10 years later, in 1968, Datsun 510 won the championship Trans-Am 2.0 in the USA, ahead of European and American teams.

How did the Nissan Leaf change the auto industry?

Nissan Leaf (2010) became the world's first mass-produced electric car and provoked a chain reaction:

1. Proved that EVs can be affordable (starting at $32,780 in 2010)

2. Encouraged other manufacturers to accelerate the development of electric vehicles (Chevrolet Volt, BMW i3)

3. Stimulated the development of charging station infrastructure

4. Showed real demand - by 2020, more than 500,000 copies were sold

Interestingly, the Leaf prototype was introduced back in 1997 under the name Nissan Hypermini, but mass production became possible only after 13 years.

What is the VR38DETT engine from the Nissan GT-R famous for?

Engine VR38DETT (3.8 l, twin-turbo V6) is the heart Nissan GT-Rwhich is famous for:

- Durability: Cast iron cylinder block can withstand up to 1,000 hp. when tuning

- Manufacturability: variable valve timing system, direct fuel injection

- Reliability: resource before overhaul exceeds 300,000 km

- Potential: the standard version develops 570 hp, and in GT-R Nismo - 600 hp

Interesting fact: this engine was developed specifically for GT-R since 2001 and cost Nissan $100 million.

Which Nissan technologies were ahead of their time?

Nissan has repeatedly introduced innovations that later became industry standards:

1. Multi-link rear suspension (Nissan Laurel, 1980) - improved handling and comfort

2. All-wheel drive ATTESA (Skyline GT-R, 1989) - electronic torque distribution

3. Keyless Entry (Nissan Silvia, 1993) - a prototype of modern keyless systems

4. Surround cameras (Nissan Elgrand, 2007) - now standard in most cars

5. One-pedal driving (Nissan Leaf, 2017) - one-pedal control in electric vehicles