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Nissan History
Provided by: Nissan Motor Company
The Early Days
Nissan has demonstrated a commitment to innovation since the company's founding in 1933. Not only were Datsuns the first mass-produced Japanese vehicles, They took the U.S. market by storm in the late '50s.
1914
The first Datsun is built.
1933
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., is established in Japan.
1937
The Datsun Type 15 is the first mass-produced Japanese vehicle.
1958
The first Datsun sedan arrives in the United States.
The Sixties
Toward the end of this decade of change, Nissan had built a strong reputation in both the American and the Japanese markets. The Datsun 2000 roadster, valued both for its style and performance, became synonymous with early Nissan design.
1960
Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. (NMC) is established in Gardena, California. The model year witnessed the birth of Datsun's first sports car, the SPL 210.
1962
Off the road, Nissan's first utility vehicle, The Patrol, made its debut, with TV hero Roy Rogers as its spokesman. Pitched as the world's most powerful, most advanced 4-wheel drive, the Patrol's engine develops enough torque 'to climb trees.'
1966
The first Japanese-owned production facility in North America, Nissan Mexicana (NMEX) manufactured its first vehicle.
1967
The Datsun most-desired by collectors, the 2000 Roadster, is also the first Japanese production sports car to come with a 5-speed. Production is limited to 1,000 and the first 10 are lightweight versions for racing.
The Seventies
In the '70s, Nissan continued to gain in popularity, with annual U.S. sales surpassing a quarter of a million cars. Nissan also began to display unrivaled racing skills, with the Datsun 510 winning a number of championship races.
1972
The civilian 510 introduced a new concept: a 4-door sports sedan. This good-looking, 5-passenger family car was fun to drive, economical, and sold over 300,000 sedans and wagons. As a result, race-bred sportiness remains very much part of Nissan today.
1973
The one-millionth Datsun vehicle is sold in America.
1975
Datsun became the top U.S. vehicle importer.
1977
Nissan expanded the idea of how much work a truck can do by introducing the King Cab, the first extended cab pickup.
The Eighties
In the '80s, the Nissan brand came into its own as the first Nissan truck is manufactured in the U.S. Not long after this milestone, Nissan introduced its Infiniti line of luxury vehicles.
1980
Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation (NMMC) was established in Smyrna, Tennessee to fulfill the growing demand for Nissan vehicles.
1983
Worldwide marketing of vehicles using the Nissan name began. And the first truck produced by Nissan in America rolled off the line in Smyrna, Tennessee.
1989
Nissan launched the Infiniti line of luxury vehicles. NMMC produced its one-millionth vehicle. And Nissan began the Summer Institute for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Nineties
Nissan demonstrates its agility in the '90s — retaining the Nissan heritage, while moving in new directions. The company remains committed to long-standing quality and service in the automotive development, while also receiving numerous corporate and environmental awards.
1991
Nissan unveiled a $490 million, 1.7 million-square-foot expansion of the Smyrna, Tennessee plant. On the environmental front, Nissan lend its Alternative Fuel Vehicle to a California testing program, unveiled the Future Electric Vehicle concept car, and received the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award from the Environmental Protection Agency.
1992
As the Sentra surpassed two million sold in the U.S., the first Nissan mid-sized sedan produced in the U.S. — the Altima — rolled off the assembly line in Tennessee. Nissan Quest became the first Nissan vehicle jointly produced with a U.S. manufacturer, Ford Motor Company.
1996
After more than 26 years, the Z car was retired. In 1999, Nissan announced an all new Z car would be built for release in 2002. Nissan served as a corporate sponsor of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, specifically the Official Import Vehicle of Choice for Truck, Sport Utility, and Minivan. NMMC is named the most productive plant in North America in 'The Harbour Report' for the third consecutive year.
1998
Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. (NMC) and Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) consolidated into one company Nissan North America, Inc.
1999
Nissan and Renault signed a global partnership agreement allowing both companies to take advantage of their respective strengths and expertise. Nissan introduces the Frontier Crew Cab, the first compact truck with four real doors. The Xterra also launches a trend in 'no-nonsense' SUVs for outdoor enthusiasts. Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder are named official vehicles of the Los Angeles County lifeguards and become a hit on the TV series 'Baywatch.'
Today
Nissan's heritage highlights a company always eyeing the future and who is never satisfied with the status quo. Bold design. Innovative style. Inspiring performance. Original cars and trucks more than capable of taking you wherever you choose to go in life.
2000
Now working with Renault of France, Nissan unveiled the 2003 Z® Concept. Nissan selects a site in Canton, Miss. for a new $930 million assembly plant. The plant will produce a full-size pickup truck, a full-size sport utility vehicle, and the next generation Nissan minivan. Production set to begin in summer 2003.
2001
Nissan unveils the 2002 Sentra SE-R, Frontier Crew Cab Long Bed, and a totally new Altima. Cumulative Nissan production surpasses 60 million vehicles to date. Nissan donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and the Twin Towers Fund during the first week following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
2002
An icon of automotive soul, the legendary Nissan Z® is reborn--better than ever. The first 8,000 Z's are pre-sold to customers who commit to buying without even a test drive. The Murano, an on-road adventure masterpiece is launched.
2003
Among the many accolades for the 350Z, Nissan is awarded the 2003 Motorweek Driver's Choice Award, and the Altima receives the 2002 North American Car of the Year Award. Nissan's 2004 product lineup is the most complete and exciting lineup ever offered from Nissan. It includes Nissan's first entrance in the full-size truck and SUV markets with the all-new Titan pickup and Armada sport utility vehicle (SUV). For a record tenth year in a row, Nissan's versatile VQ V6 engine has been named to the annual 'Ward's Ten Best Engines' award list by Ward's Communications, Inc.
2004
The 2005 Pathfinder and Frontier make their show car appearances at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The re-designed 2005 Altima is launched in February. In April, the all-new, second generation 2005 Xterra made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. And the first ever Altima SE-R model is to be released later this year.
2005
The all-new Frontier® was launched with the most powerful V6 in its class.
2007
The first Nissan Hybrid, the Altima, is offered.
2009
The first Nissan Cube is released.
2010
The Nissan Juke is released, along with the first electric Nissan, the Leaf.
2011
We all meet the Nissan LEAF®- the world's first mass-produced 100% electric vehicle.
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