Nissan Heritage

ORIGINS OF NISSAN
The name Nissan originated in Japan, when founder Yoshisuke Aikawa became president of Nihon Sangyo in 1928. Primarily dealing in foundries and auto parts, Nihon Sangyo debuted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by its ticker name NISSAN in 1933. Nissan expanded beyond its Japanese roots from there, and officially came to the U.S. as Datsun in 1958.
NISSAN HAS DEMONSTRATED A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION SINCE THE COMPANY'S FOUNDING IN 1933.
1914-1959
Not only are Datsuns the first mass-produced Japanese vehicles, their unique automotive style makes a major impact on the U.S. market when Datsun sedans and compact pickups are first imported in the late '50s.

NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., IS ESTABLISHED IN JAPAN
1933

THE ROAD FROM JAPAN TO AMERICA
Nissan produced its first cars at the flagship Nishi-ku, Yokohama headquarters in 1935. Nissan showcased its first Datsuns (a 1000 cc car and truck) at the 1959 Los Angeles Auto Show. To keep up with global demand, Nissan started production in Mexico in 1966. Production in Australia and Taiwan followed, with the first American factory opening in Smyrna, Tennessee, in 1983.
PERFORMANCE BECOMES A ONE-LETTER WORD
1960-1969
Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. (NMC) was established in Gardena, California. That same year, the SPL 201—Datsun’s very first sports car—was introduced. The sleek 4-seat roadster featured a fold-down soft-top, a "4 on the floor" transmission and a 48-hp engine (that would soon be replaced by a powerful 85-hp version).
In 1966, the first Japanese-owned production facility in North America, Nissan Mexicana manufactures its first vehicle.
Toward the end of this decade of change, Nissan 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. Soon after, the Datsun Z changed the way people think of sports cars. The 24OZ comes to America in 1969. First unveiled at the Pierre Hotel in New York in October of 1969, the 240Z was an instant hit with media and enthusiasts alike.

PUSHING THE LIMITS. BUILDING A SOLID REPUTATION
1970-1979
The 70s were a great decade for Nissan. We sold our one-millionth Datsun and became the top vehicle importer in the United States by 1975.
In 1971, annual sales eclipsed 250,000 in the United States for the first time. Nissan also established itself on the track, as the now-legendary Datsun 510 and 240Z dominated racing on two continents; winning the SCCA Trans Am 2.5 Championship, the American Rally Championship and the treacherous East African Safari. In 1973, the 1-Millionth Vehicle is sold in America.
In 1975, Datsun becomes the top U.S. vehicle importer
Datsun: 335,415 Toyota: 328,918 VW: 268,751
In 1979, Nissan Design America (NDA) was established in La Jolla, California, with a mandate to bring American style and concepts to Nissan vehicles. Over the years, NDA has brought us the original Altima®, the original Pathfinder®, the modular Pulsar NX, Xterra® and the Gobi pickup concept pictured here. Newer works include the second-generation TITAN, Nissan Kicks and the latest Altima and Maxima.

FINDING OUR STRIDE, BUILDING ON RACING LEGENDS
1980-1989
In the '80s, as manufacturers worldwide struggled to forge their identity, Nissan built upon its successes of the 1970s – both in the showrooms and on the racetrack. We also built our first Nissan truck in the United States.
In 1980, Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation (NMMC) is established in Smyrna, Tennessee, to fulfill the growing demand for Nissan vehicles. North American manufacturing operations are now integrated under the umbrella of Nissan North America (NNA). In 1981, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation (NMAC), Nissan's financing division, is established in Torrance, California. Today, NMAC headquarters is located in Irving, Texas. In 1989, Nissan produced our 1e-millionth vehicle on American soil, and started the Summer Institute for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
On the track, Hollywood legend Paul Newman raced the Newman/Sharp Trans-Am 300ZX® to consecutive SCCA GT1 championships in 1985 and 1986, capturing Nissan's 50th national SCCA championship in the process.
AGILITY IN THE '90S
1990-1999
Nissan demonstrates its agility by retaining the Nissan heritage while moving in new directions. In 1990, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) is established in Torrance, California.
In 1991, Nissan receives its first environmental award from the EPA, and takes a big leap forward in green technology by lending its Alternative Fuel Vehicle to a California testing program and introducing the Future Electric Vehicle concept car. In 1997, Nissan is named “Best of the Best” by the Environmental Protection Agency, and Nissan Smyrna is lauded as the most productive plant in North America in "The Harbour Report” for a fourth consecutive year.
In 1992, the 2-millionth Nissan Sentra was sold in the United States in 1992, and the very first Altima rolled off the assembly line at our manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee. 1993 was a big year for Nissan, as we celebrated 10 years of manufacturing in the United States. That year, the NNA Smyrna-built Altima was topping the list in new nameplate sales, and the 1-millionth Maxima was sold.
Explore today's Nissan Altima® Explore today's Nissan Sentra® Explore today's Nissan Maxima®

COMPACT WITHOUT COMPROMISE
1995
1995 was the year we introduced the world to the all-new 200SX® coupe and the all-new 4th-generation Sentra.

THE FIRST FOUR DOOR COMPACT TRUCK
1999
In 1999, we introduced the Frontier® Crew Cab, the first compact truck with four full-sized doors. That same year, Frontier, Xterra® and Pathfinder® were named the official vehicles of the Los Angeles County lifeguards, which gave the rugged vehicles plenty of screen time on the television phenomenon “Baywatch.”
2000-2009
Nissan has nearly doubled the number of models offered and nearly doubled its sales. In 10 years, the diverse lineup has grown to include Nissan's first full-sized truck, all-new hybrid technology and a 21st-Century supercar. And this is only the beginning of what's to come.
After a six-year absence, the legendary Z returned to prominence in 2002 with the introduction of the widely acclaimed Nissan 350Z®. Under the hood was a lively 3.5-liter V6 pumped out 287 horsepower, a number that would increase every year it was in production. In 2009, the 350Z® was replaced by the more powerful 370Z®, the fastest Z ever produced.
Our first full-size truck, the TITAN®, debuted in 2003 as a 2004 model. Today, the V8-powered pickup is available with a King Cab or a Crew Cab. In 2007, Next-generation technology thrives with Maxima, Altima, Sentra, Quest, Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan.

NISSAN AROUND THE WORLD
Nissan and its Alliance Partners Renault and Mitsubishi are an automotive force collectively selling 1 in 10 cars worldwide. Production continues globally, with over 40 manufacturing locations across six continents.
NISSAN TODAY: THE COMPANY BELIEVES THAT CARS SHOULD CHANGE THE WORLD AND THE WAY WE MOVE THROUGH IT.
Nissan is more than a car company; we are an innovation company. We take the most innovative thinking in the industry and combine it with performance, value, efficiency, safety and style. The result: cars that thrill you, every time you get behind the wheel.


2010-2020
In 2010, we introduced Nissan LEAF®—the world’s first mass-produced, 100% electric, zero emission automobile. The standard 24-kWh battery was replaced with a 30-kWh battery for 2016, featuring 107 miles of range. The 2018 LEAF introduced an all-new design and a 40-kWh battery that took range up to 151 miles, and in 2019, LEAF PLUS added an available 60-kWh battery, estimated by EPA to offer up to 226 miles of range.
Sales have grown to more than 400,000 globally, making Nissan LEAF the top-selling EV of all time.

NISSAN KICKS: GIVING CONSUMERS A LOT OF FUN FOR THE MONEY
2018
Nissan Kicks offers a bundle of technology and functionality at an attractive price. It’s a one-of-a-kind crossover that’s big on attitude and self-expression. It demands attention with dynamic styling and nimble performance, while Nissan Intelligent Mobility™ means seamless connectivity, and available advanced driver assistance features. The 2019 Nissan Kicks. Tech that moves you.