How Nissan Became an Automotive Paragon

Nissan didn't become the paradigm of automotive innovation overnight. It took years of cultivating an image and direction, powered by some of the most intelligent designers and engineers in the industry. That diligence has paid dividends because today, Nissan is recognized for its performance, luxury, and technology. By identifying needs and predicting trends, Nissan has always stayed ahead, inviting other manufacturers to try and keep up. The result: a company built on hunting down success and invention. This automaker has never just made cars that are more advanced, it's also built machines that are crafted around the driving experience. With its fair share of roots in the motorsport world, Nissan understands what it takes to make a vehicle perform well, under any conditions. 

From Humble Beginnings

Nissan wasn’t always called Nissan. Originally the company was named Datsun, after the three men who initially invested in the company. Datsun’s first car was developed in 1931. The name was changed to Nissan after another company became the investor. Sales began to blossom, and in April of 1935, the first Datsun car manufactured on an assembly line was complete.

Cars and trucks carrying both the Nissan and Datsun nameplate were constantly improved upon through the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In 1958, Nissan started exporting to the United States, stamping out a name for itself as the go-to Japanese automaker in the country. Notable models like the Skyline 2000GT-R, the predecessor for the Nissan GT-R, and the Datsun Fairlady, which evolved into the popular 370z, where created in the 1960s, starting a legacy in performance, efficiency, and quality. It was also in the 60s when Nissan decided to take its designs to the race track.

From the Track to the Street

Developing new automotive technologies—engines, drivetrains, suspensions, and advanced capabilities—eventually requires road testing. There’s nowhere better to test the capabilities of a car than at the race track. Nissan has participated in motorsports for many years, adapting what it learned on the track to the cars it offers customers. That’s why the brand is so synonymous with top-quality performance.

In 1967, the Nissan R380-II, with its 6-cylinder inline engine capable of 217 horsepower, was unleashed onto the racing circuit. Nissan Motorsport International Limited (NISMO®) was created as the official motorsport division for the brand in 1984, and it continues to have a presence in the sport today. The engineering and performance of the Nissan Racing cars can also be found in the consumer vehicles it offers under the NISMO® trim, such as the 370z, GT-R, and Sentra.

Committed to Evolution

A lot has changed since Nissan first came onto the scene. From early concepts to modern racing marvels to some of the best consumer vehicles on the road, Nissan has evolved as a company, and it has been the catalyst for many changes in the industry along the way.

Nissan is still committed to changing the automotive industry, and it remains a leader in efficiency, performance, and luxury. Visit Hall Nissan Virginia Beach at 3757 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or contact our sales staff online today and let us show you how the rich history of Nissan has helped this brand generate some of the best vehicles on the market today. 

Image Credit: Nissan