Nissan Maxima is First Produced | World History Project 1976 Nissan Maxima is First Produced The Nissan Maxima is a full-size car manufactured by Nissan, marketed as the "four-door sports car". The Maxima debuted in 1976 as an upscale version of the Bluebird and was spun into its own line in 1980, having been made continuously since then. Most pre-2004 Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until the current North American Maximas started being assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee. The Maxima models are also known as Nissan Cefiro or Nissan Laurel in various markets. The Maxima model line began with the Nissan Bluebird Maxima, which was available in the US as Datsun 810 from February 1977. It was powered by two versions of the SOHC L-series I6 engine, a 2.0 L displacement for the Japanese market and a 2.4 L (as found in the Datsun 240Z) for the US market. The Bluebird Maxima used a carburetor for the base model and fuel injection for the sporty version.

The 2.0 L engine was good for 122 PS JIS (90 kW), while the bigger American engine could reach 125 hp SAE (93 kW). The sporty version channeled power through a four speed manual transmission. These cars were rear-wheel drive and had a semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The station wagon variant had the rear live axle for load carrying reasons. The 2-door coupe version was introduced in 1979 along with an exterior refresh, and was available in the Maxima lineup in the Datsun 810 only. The new Datsun 280ZX shared the 810's chassis, though the 810 did not get that car's larger 2.8 L engine. Source: Wikipedia Added by: Kevin Rogers For much of the 1990s, our editors considered new family sedans from Japan and America to be quite practical for everyday use but rather feckless in terms of generating excitement or pride of ownership. There was, however, a recommended alternative for the car enthusiast weighed down by the grim reality of family life -- the Nissan Maxima.

During this period, the Maxima, with its powerful V6, upscale interior and catchy "Four-Door Sports Car" marketing tagline, was ideally positioned as a bridge between those midsize snoozers and out-of-reach European sport sedans. These traits, along with continual improvements made by Nissan, ensured a loyal following and strong name recognition. Since that time, other automakers have targeted the Maxima's niche and brought out excellent competing models. The previous-generation Maxima, in particular, had little to offer to justify its extra price. However, a new Maxima has recently debuted, and it's again a compelling choice for a sedan that provides both performance and luxury. Used Nissan Maximas can also be very worthy, though certain model years are better than others, so some extra research will likely be required. Current Nissan Maxima The current Maxima represents the car's seventh generation, and debuted for the 2009 model year. It's a front-wheel-drive midsize sedan that packs a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. Sending the engine's power to the front wheels is a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

In terms of size, it's actually a bit shorter than earlier Maximas; Nissan made this change in hopes of improving the car's handling and making it more distinctive. There are two available trim levels: 3.5 S and 3.5 SV. The base-model S is pretty well equipped, with a standard features list that includes amenities like keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and a full complement of safety features. SV models pump up the luxury with features like leather upholstery and a premium nine-speaker Bose stereo. Numerous packages are available that give you the chance to upgrade with options like a voice-activated navigation system, iPod integration and a rearview camera. Our editors have praised the current Nissan Maxima for its powerful V6 engine and well-sorted suspension tuning. It also offers a high-quality interior and a high number of high-tech features. On the downside, Nissan packages much of that high-tech equipment into expensive packages, meaning the car's price might rise higher than you would expect. Additionally, that high price puts the Maxima in competition with some luxury-branded models.

But if you can live without "oohs" and "ahs" from the neighbors, the current Nissan Maxima should be on your must-look list for a premium sedan. Used Nissan Maximas In terms of finding a used late-model Maxima, you'll likely encounter the sixth-generation model that spanned 2004-'08. This Maxima was longer, wider and more powerful than earlier models, though it struggled to stand out against the competition. Two trim levels were offered during this generation: SE and SL. With a slightly stiffer suspension, the SE was designed to be the sportier of the two. Standard features on this trim included 18-inch wheels, an eight-speaker CD stereo, keyless entry, and one-touch up-down front windows. The more luxury-oriented SL offered 17-inch wheels, softer tuning, wood interior trim, heated leather seats, HID headlights and a 320-watt Bose audio system. Changes were minimal throughout this model's run, so interested shoppers needn't fixate on a particular year. There was a transmission change, however.

Maximas from 2007 and 2008 featured a CVT, while earlier models came with either a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Though earlier Nissan CVTs used on other models were disappointing, the Maxima's CVT worked quite well. You'll also note that the V6 offered by the more recent models in this generation boasts 255 hp, while older models list a higher rating (265). This is the result of a new power rating procedure enacted in 2007. Actual engine performance was unchanged. In our reviews, we determined that the sixth-generation Nissan Maxima held advantages in terms of power, comfort and interior space when compared to some other V6-powered, front-drive midsize sedans. Driving dynamics offered by Maximas from this generation weren't quite as impressive as those offered by some competitors, though. Fit and finish and materials quality were also hit and miss. If you're shopping for a used car in this age range, the Maxima might be worth a look, but you'd do well to consider cars like the Acura TSX and VW Passat as well. Fifth-generation Nissan Maximas were available from 2000-'03.

Key improvements over earlier models were a smooth-revving 222 hp from the standard 3.0-liter V6, a boost in rear-seat legroom and an available 200-watt Bose audio system. At the time, our editors were still impressed with the car's power and interior room but were increasingly skeptical of its value. Further upgrades were made in 2002, including a bump in displacement (3.5 liters) and power (255 hp) to help keep the Maxima at least marginally ahead of Nissan's V6-powered Altima sedan. Cars built for the 1995-'99 model years constitute the fourth generation. For this Maxima, Nissan added length, improved the quality of the interior and introduced a new 190-hp all-aluminum V6 for all trim levels, which was arguably the gold standard in its day for responsiveness and refinement. In terms of handling, it wasn't quite as responsive as the previous version, and its styling wasn't very well received, but it was still very popular given its desirable combination of utility, performance and luxury. The third-generation car was built for the 1989-'94 model years.

Nissan was enjoying a product renaissance at the time, and this was the first Nissan Maxima with true sporting credentials. Unlike other Japanese midsize sedans, the Maxima came with a V6 only and the option to order a manual transmission. Early versions had a 160-hp V6; a 190-hp engine became available in 1992 for the Maxima SE. A second-gen Maxima was available from 1985-'88. For the U.S. market, the Maxima is one of Nissan's most historic vehicles. Known originally as the Datsun 810, it officially became Maxima in 1982, which was also the year that the Datsun brand began its metamorphosis into Nissan. Source: Edmunds Added by: Kevin Rogers The Nissan Maxima first made its debut as the high-end trim level of the 1976 Bluebird, but it was not until 1985 that the Maxima branched off into its own model. Having gone through a great number of changes and upgrades; the Maxima is one of the longest running mid-size sedans on the American automobile market.

Starting out as a boxy two-door coupe, the Maxima has transformed into a muscular, sporty four-door sedan. With a complete redesign scheduled for the 2009 model year, the Maxima is still one of the most affordable luxury models on sales lots. From 1976-1979, the Nissan Maxima was known in the United States as a trim level of the Datsun 810, while European consumers knew the model as a version of the Bluebird. However, the badge "Maxima" was only known to the European market. In 1982, Nissan introduced the 810 Maxima to the United States. This model featured a 2.4L I6 and the option of either a five-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The 1985 model year named the Maxima a standalone badge that was equipped with a 157 horsepower 3.0L V6. A Maxima wagon was available for both the 1987 and 1988 model years, but after that the model's exterior was tightened up and was listed as a compact sedan.

The boxy exterior was traded in for a sleeker, more elegant design in 1989. The Maxima also gained a few inches, re-establishing it as a mid-size sedan in America. With features like a moonroof, digital touch entry, and a complete power package, the Maxima quickly became an American favorite as an introductory luxury sedan. Though the engine remained a 3.0L V6 all through the 1990s, the Maxima's exterior was freshened up several times with curvier lines and a more aggressive front grille giving it a sportier appearance. However, the 2002 model year brought about the first major engine change for the Maxima. A new 255 horsepower 3.5L V6 was mounted under the hood, and upgraded wheels and a navigation unit became available. Nissan Maxima's sixth generation brought with it a revamped version of the model. The build became more muscular, and the Maxima was only available as a four-door sedan. The engine stayed the same, but a continuously variable transmission was introduced.

The unveiling of the 2009 Maxima at the 2008 New York Auto Show revealed a completely restyled edition with a futuristic appearance. With the redesign Nissan hopes to appeal to younger buyers. 2000 Nissan Maxima (SE, GXE, GLE) - Conceptcarz conceptcarz Tweet The recipient of the AutoPacific Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction award, the Maxima is a full-size car manufactured by Nissan that was introduced in 1976. Marketed as the ‘four-door sports car', the Maxima was originally an upscale version of the Bluebird that spun into its own line 1981 and had been made continuously since then. Prior to 2004, most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, they are now being assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee. In various markets the Maxima models are also known as Nissan Cefiro or Nissan Laurel. One of the longest running mid-size sedans on the American automobile market, the Maxima is still considered to be one of the most affordable luxury models on the sales lot today.

It wasn't until 1985 that the Maxima branched off into its own model and with a great number of changes and upgrades the Maxima has continued on in its own right. Beginning its run as a square two-door coupe, the Maxima has blossomed into a sinewy, sporty four-door sedan today that is not only eye catching, but economical. Known in the U.S. as a trim level of the Datsun 810 from 1976 until 1979, the Maxima was known as a variant of the Bluebird to European consumers. The badge 'Maxima' was only known to the European Market. Nissan introduced the 810 Maxima to the United States in 1982 which featured a 2.4L I6 and the option of either a five-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. In 1981 the first car to wear the Maxima name was introduced and was basically a Japanese-maret Bluebird 910 with a 3.9 inch longer nose.

This first year it was offered as the 810 Deluxe or 810 Maxima but the following all 810s became Maximas. The final year of the first generation Maxima in 1984, American Datsuns begn carrying the 'Nissan' badge also. Toyotas response to this was the introduction of an upmarket sibling, the Cressida. The Maxima became a standalone badge in '85 equipped with a 157 hp 3.0L V6 engine. For both 1987 and 1988 model years a Maxima station wagon was available, but following '88 the Maxima's exterior was ‘tightened up' and listed as a compact sedan. The square exterior was smoothed into a sleeker more sinewy design for the 1989 model year. The Maxima also grew a few inches and re-established itself as a mid-size sedan in America. The vehicle sported a unique feature; a phonograph-based voice warning system that alerted the driver when a door was opened; etc and was relayed through the mini phonograph and played for the driver to hear.

The 1981 models were the first ever ‘talking car' sold in the U.S. and at the time only offered one warning; ‘Please turn off the lights' in a female voice. During the fall of 1984 the first ever front-wheel drive Maxima was introduced, available with a 154 hp 3.0 L VG30E V6 engine and either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.. This was the same engine in the naturally aspirated 300ZX and the Japanese market Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric, and the initial V6 engine to be mass produced in Japan. The final year for the station wagon was 1988 which had been available since the Datsun 810 days, and the second generation was assigned the compact status. The 1987 Maxima was debuted in late 1986 with a freshened exterior and interior that included automatic shoulder-belts on both wagons and sedans built after February 1987.

Trim levels were renamed GXE and SE, and featured digital touch entry system on the driver and passenger side door panel, power windows, locks, seats, remote trunk release, voice warning side, an optional Electronic package and an optional power sunroof. Standard on the Maxima were 15' alloy wheels and an exclusive option for '88 was the Sonar Suspension System that replaced the trip computer that was offered previously. Utilizing sonar waves to monitor the road conditions ahead and adjust the shocks accordingly this system ensured the most controlled ride. The previously standard digital touch system offered on the GXE sedan became part of the Electronic package option as well in 1988 while the SE offered a five-speed manual transmission, dual power seats, 3-way shock adjust suspension, a factory-installed security system and front and rear windshield defroster. The SE featured a small rear spoiler, black side rear view mirrors, 4-wheel disc brakes and body molding. The main competition for the Maxima was the similar Toyota Cressida which remained rear wheel drive. The Maxima had a simple combination of both luxury and sport-like features, while the Cressida was seen as a luxury car.

The third generation of the Maxima was debuted in 1989 as the J30 model. The second Japanese sedan sold in the U.S. that was considered a 'mid-size', the Maxima featured bigger dimensions and was also the first Japanese car to exceed Japan's 67 inch width restriction. This made it very comfortable for three seat passengers, and surprisingly brought the overall weight down slightly from the previous generation. This new Maxima was dubbed a -4-Door Sports Car and was even given a '4DSC' window decal showing this. Now the model featured a 160 hp 3.0 L V6, with a 190 hp VE30DE engine standard on the SE model starting in 1992. This engine was one that had been used in the previous Maxima along with the first generation Nissan 300ZX. The digital touch entry system on the GXE was a unique feature that allowed the windows to be lowered and the moonroof opened without the key in the ignition. All 1989-1994 GXE models and 1989-1991 SE models used the VG30E in the U.S.

which featured a variable intake manifold on both automatic and manual transmission models. This third generation Maxima was fitted with an independent rear suspension. Exclusively available on the 1992-1994 Maxima SE, the VE30DE engine showcased a variable intake manifold and variable intake valve timing, plus a limited-slip differential. Other differences between the SE and the GXE were found in the white-faced gauges, body-colored grille, twin-tip mufflers, twisted-spoke turbines, factory-tinted tail lights, firmer spot suspension, black trim replacing chrome and optional 5-speed manual transmission. A contemporary compact unit from Jatco, the automatic transmission on all GXE models featured ‘sport' and ‘comfort' modes that deviated at different points. The '92-'94 SE model received an optional automatic transmission that kept the 2 modes but had stronger internals. The GXE had body-color side mirrors while the SE sported a rear spoiler and black side mirrors. This was the first year that the Maxima was introduced to the European market, superseding the Laurel with the model range; 3.0, 3.0 S, and 3.0SE.

For 1990 the Maxima SE was showcased on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list. As an alternative to the automatic transmission standard in North America in Australia, versions sold in Japan, New Zealand and Europe had manual transmission option. All Australian models had automatic transmissions and the VG40E engine only. During this period until the introduction of the Nissan Bluebird U13 another Bluebird Maxima continued on as a Nissan Bluebird U12 and exclusively as a station wagon with the VG20ET engine. The Avenir replaced the Bluebird wagon. The fourth generation of the Maxima was redesigned in 1995 as the A32. The only engine option available for the North American market was a new VQ30DE 190 hp, 205 lb/ft torque 3.0 L V6. This engine was placed at the top of Ward's 10 Best Engines List, and the VQ has now been found consecutively each year since its introduction. A lighter and less expensive torsion bar solid axle system replaced the independent rear suspension of the earlier generation.

After 1992 model year the Toyota Cressida (Maxima's biggest competitor) was discontinued and replaced with the FWD Avalon; a stretched out version of the Camry in 1994. For 1997 the exterior of the Maxima was updated with the addition of new 5-spoke alloy wheels, a moderately different front and rear fascia with newly designed taillights, plastic headlights instead of glass, a smoother trunk to match the taillights, redesigned badge designs and fog-lights. Body colored grille insert was added for SE models and a chrome grille insert for GLE's. On the inside the Maxima sported a new steering wheel and CD player along with front seat-mounted side impact airbags added as an option for '98 and '99 SE and GLE models. Enhancing crash worthiness for the '97 to '99 Maxima models were various structural modifications. On the inside the '99 Maxima also received some updates that included an Anti-Theft Engine Immobilizer using a chip in the ignition key along with minor body trims. This year was the only 4th generation offered with optional traction control.

The '99 SE was offered with a Limited Package which consisted of Titanium tinted SE-Limited emblems on the front doors, titanium tinted 16' alloy wheels and titanium tinted trunk emblems. On the inside the gauge cluster was also titanium tinted and optional leather seats were perforated and embossed with SE on the backrests as well as the front floor mats. The 4th generation GLE Maxima featured a Bose Sound System which had a 6 speaker sound system or the option of a Clarion system instead. This generation gained many accolades for its roomy interior. For 1995 this generation was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year, and once again the Maxima SE made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for both '95 and '96. The '95 VQ30DE engine produced 190 hp and 205 lb/ft of torque and with the manual transmission the Maxima could reach 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. The top GLE with four-speed automatic transmission achieved 0-60 mph in just 7.6 seconds.

One of the few 4-door V6 cars at the time with an option for a manual transmission, the Maxima fell into an elite category compared to the automatic-only Mazda Millenia, Dodge Intrepid, Chevy Lumina and Toyota Avalon. This fourth generation was sold in Japan as the Nissan Cefiro A32 which had earlier been its own higher specification model with rear-wheel drive vehicle. A Cefiro-badged station wagon was offered for the Japanese market and one version of the Cefiro was sold in the US as the Infiniti I30 but there were slight differences that included different fog light arrangements, a few assorted engine options and one-piece headlights. In Europe and other parts of the world this generation was also sold as the Maxima QX and only had a few subtle trim differences from the Japanese Cefiro. The fifth generation of the Maxima was designed in 2000 and was a refreshed version of the previous vehicle designed at La Jolla, a California design studio. Dubbed A33, this generation is often remembered for it being the fastest years of the Maxima.

The engine was a 222 hp 3.0 L VQ30DE V6, and this variant was referred to the VQ30DE-K. This generation had three models; GXE, GLE and SE with the ‘GXE' being the base model and the GLE the 'luxury' model with 16 inch wheels. The '01 Maxima is the special edition of the SE model which celebrates the 20th anniversary of this particular Nissan. This version has the Infiniti I30's engine in addition to the usual SE luxuries, unique side skirts all around the lower perimeter, and a few special touches to the interior. The model also had drilled metal 'brushed metallic' pedals, a 'brushed metallic' shifter, and stainless steel door sill plates with the name Nissan Maxima. The leather that was optional is perforated in contrast to the regular SE. The special edition model offered 'SE Comfort and Convenience Package' which includes 17' wheels, a sunroof and a few other things as standard.

The Maxima received a new engine throughout the whole lineup in 2002; a 3.5 L VQ35DE that produced 255 hp and 264 lb/ft of torque. The model also received an update that included a larger grille opening, a six-speed manual transmission with optional helical Torsen limited-slip differential, headlamps with high-intensity discharge low beams, updated 17' six-spoke wheels on the SE models, new 17' seven spoke wheels on the GLE models, and clear taillights. A special Titanium Edition package was debuted in 2003 that featured special wheels and interior treatment along with a Meridian Edition package that came with heated seats and steering wheel and a GPS navigation system. This Edition was available in a variety of colors but a new car was only available with the Titanium Edition; Polished Titanium. The final generation Maxima was the inspiration for the Infiniti I35. The Maxima is sold as the Nissan Maxima QX in Russia and Europe. The sixth generation of the Maxima was introduced in 2004 and was assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Dubbed the A34, this version was only available for purchase in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The U.S. version came with the time-worn VQ35DE, a DOHC V6 engine that was capable of 265 hp at 5,800 rpm and 255 lb/ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It also featured a standard SkyView fixed glass paneled roof that coursed down the center of the room from front to back, or a traditional style moonroof option. This generation was sold in two trim levels; the sporty SE which came standard with 18' alloy wheels, stiffer suspension, rear spoiler, P245/45R18 V-rated tired and an optional 6-seed manual transmission and the lush SL that came standard with 17' alloy wheels, wood interior trim, 6-disc CD changer, leather seats, Bose stereo, HID headlights and P225/55R17 H-rated tires. The suspension in the SL model was tuned for a softer ride and manual transmission was never offered on this vehicle.

The rear independent suspension returned to the lineup for all models, and this time it utilized a multilink setup similar to the Altima. The Maxima was offered with a standard Xtronic CVT, similar to the CVT found in the Murano, as the only transmission option for 2007. Manual transmission was taken off the table completely, though the CVT did feature a manual mode. This year the Maxima now sported a fresh front fascia minus the center block, and a new grille that was very similar to the Altima of the same year. Around the edges the headlights were now more squared. On the inside the '07 Altima received a new center console, it now featured an Intelligent Key system with integrated ignition tab, and new white-and-orange gauges as opposed to the older plain orange ones. The following year the fuel economy in the Maxima dropped from 21/28 to 19/25 because of new EPA measurement methods. Also new this year was a Platinum Edition package of convenience added on both SL and SE trim levels.

The Australian Maxima, dubbed J31 continued on with the same engine, but the maximum power was set to only 228 hp and shared the VQ engine. Originally it only came with a four-speed automatic transmission, and had quite obvious style differences to the North American version and was instead based on the Nissan Teana. For 2007 this version received an all new CVT automatic transmission and underwent a minor facelift. For 2009 Maxima rolled out the Seventh Generation of the Maxima with a debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show newly redesigned. This newest generation was built on the Nissan D platform shared with the fourth generation Nissan Altima and second generation Murano. Similar in design both on the outside and inside, the Maxima resembled the Infiniti G and Infiniti M with an optional USB interface system that works with the main console monitor and steering wheel controls and updated navigation interface. A revised variation of the VQ35DE engine was fitted in the '09 Maxima capable of producing 290 horsepower and 261 lb/ft of torque. The only transmission offered was the updated version of Nissan's Xtronic CVT with paddle shifting.

This generation was offered in S and SV trims with various premium and technology packages. Today the Maxima's design is all sleek futuristic style and curves rather than height and length, though the width has been increased slightly. This newest model uses a high-tech push button to start and stop the engine. Nissan aims this newest generation of Maxima to the younger consumer with its innovative redesign. Nissan Canada | Cars, SUVs, Trucks | Auto123 New Nissan Cars Nissan Canada Nissan is a Japanese manufacturer that sells a complete range of cars and trucks, from subcompact to full-size pickups. Through the years, the company has developed a habit of developing niche vehicles, and one of the first to mass-produce a modern, 100% electric car. Read More Following a series of acquisitions, the company entered the vehicle manufacturing business by establishing the Nissan Motor Company in 1933.

The first model is the four-seater Datsun 12 Phaeton, followed in subsequent years by the 14 Roadster, the 15 Phaeton and Roadster, the 16 Sedan, the 17 Sedan, the 1937 Nissan Van and the 1938 Nissan Passenger Car. After WWII, business started to pick up again, and Nissan first post-war car was the 1947 Standard Sedan Type DA. Deluxe Sedan Type DB and Thrift Sedan Type DS followed in subsequent years. The ‘50s also marked the launches of the Datsun Sports Type DC convertible, the Datsun 110, 210 and 211 sedans as well as the A20 Cablight truck. An agreement with English automaker Austin led to producing the A40 Somerset Saloon and A50 Cambridge Saloon in Japan. The now-famous Skyline was originally developed and introduced in 1957 by the Prince Motor Company, who merged with Nissan in 1966.

Prince also produced the Skyline coupe and convertible as well as the Skyway wagon, and at the same time, the Datsun 310 Bluebird appeared. The Cedric Custom, introduced in 1960, was developed using manufacturing techniques acquired with the collaboration with Austin. The 1958 Datsun 1200 is the company’s first car sold in USA. The Nissan Motor Company USA was established in 1960. Another historic name was born in 1962; the Fairlady roadster won the first Japan Grand Prix race in 1963. Other new models in the ‘60s includes the SPL 210, the 6-cylinder S40 Gloria sedan, the Datsun 320 and 520 trucks, the Datsun A120, A220 Cablight and A320 Cabstar trucks, the Nissan Silvia coupe, the Datsun B10 Sunny, the Datsun 510 and the Datsun C30 Laurel.

Meanwhile, the 1965 Prince R380 sports car established 5 world speed records and the Nissan R380 Type II notched 7 international speed records. 1968 also welcomed the Skyline GT-R, a moniker that still stands today as Nissan’s high-performance flagship. 1970 is also a milestone in Nissan’s history with the launch of the Datsun 240Z. The 520 and 720 pickups, 310, 710, 810, 200SX and 280ZX also followed in that decade. In 1973, Nissan celebrated its 1-millionth vehicle sold in America. In the ‘80s, the Datsun brand was eventually replaced by Nissan on all North American vehicles, and models such as the Micra, the Sentra, the Pulsar, the Hardbody pickup, the Stanza, the Maxima, the Multi, the Pathfinder and the 240SX and the 300ZX appeared.

The following decade also brought a few new models, such as the Axxess and Quest minivans, the NX coupe, the Altima, the Hustler and Frontier pickups as well redesigned versions of well-established products. Nissan also busy launching their standalone luxury division called Infiniti. In 1999, Nissan formed an alliance with French automaker Renault. After the year 2000, Nissan introduced bigger trucks to the American market, such as the full-size Titan pickup, the X-Trail, Xterra and Armada SUVs, the Rogue and Murano crossovers as well as the 350Z, more versions of the Altima and the subcompact Versa. Global sales for Nissan reached the 4-million mark in 2010.

Nissan’s current line-up of vehicles includes the Versa, the subcompact cube, the 100% electric Leaf, the compact Sentra, the mid-size Altima coupe, sedan and Hybrid, the Maxima, the Juke, Rogue and Murano crossovers, the Xterra, Pathfinder and Armada SUVs, the Quest minivan, the Frontier and Titan pickups, the NV commercial truck as well as the 370Z and GT-R sports cars. Nissan Parts | Nissan Auto Parts | Truck & Car Parts | Aftermarket & OEM Nissan Parts Online | Buy Discount OE Replacement & New Nissan Parts At 1A Auto 6. Nissan Today Origin The story of the Nissan Motor Company starts with the beginning of Datsun. Before Datsun became a brand, there was the DAT car, which was built in 1914 by a company called the Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works. This company was established in 1911 by Masujiro Hashimoto, an American trained engineer, and immediately set out on its mission to create an automobile for the Japanese market.

The company produced its first car in 1914, the DAT, which was based on Hashimoto's own design. The car's name came to be by combining the initials of the surnames of the three men who had invested in the company: Kenjiro Den, Rokuro Aoyama, and Meitaro Takeuchi. In 1918, the company, which had grown quite a bit by this time, was renamed to Kwaishinsha Motor Car Co., Ltd. It released another vehicle, the Model 41 DAT, the following year. It had also started to produce trucks around this time as well, in addition to its DAT passenger cars, geared towards the military market. This demand would lead to the company focusing predominantly on building trucks, as the demand for cars by consumers was extremely low at the time. In 1919, an American engineer named William R. Gorham developed a three-wheeled vehicle which drew the attention of a businessman in Japan. A company called Jitsuyo Jidosha Co., Ltd. was then established with the purpose of manufacturing these three-wheeled vehicles, with future aspirations to expand.

The mechanical equipment, parts, and materials used to build the vehicles were ordered and imported from the US. The following year, the company produced a four-wheeled version, and would also go on to produce light cars and trucks under the name of Lila. In 1925, Kwaishinsha Motor Car Co., Ltd. changed their name to DAT Jidosha & Co., Ltd. (also known as DAT Motor Car Co. or DAT Motors). In the 1920s, DAT was forced to consider merging with other automotive companies due to the low demand for their cars. In 1926, it merged with Jitsuyo Jidosha Co., Ltd., (also known as Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd. or Jitsuyo Motors) to form DAT Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd. (also known as DAT Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd). In 1928, another important event happened in the history of Nissan. Yoshisuke Aikawa, a Japanese born and educated man who also lived in the United States for a time where he developed casting skills, founded the holding company Nihon Sangyo Co., Ltd.

(also known as Nippon Sangyo Co., Ltd. or Japan Industries). Aikawa had previously established another company, Tobata Casting Co., Ltd., in 1911 following his return to Japan, which will also play a big role in our origin story. The Nissan name would eventually originate from this company during the 1930s, as it was used as an abbreviation on the Tokyo stock market for the company. Nihon Sangyo was originally created as an offshoot of Kuhara Mining Co., Ltd. (which is present day JX Nippon Mining & Metals), which Aikawa had taken over as president of from his brother-in-law Fusanosuke Kuhara, after a reorganization of his assets due to the bankruptcy of the Kuhara zaibatsu (combine consisting of Japanese business conglomerates) following World War I. Nippon Mining Co., Ltd. was established a year later to take over mining, smelting and refinery operations of Nihon Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Nihon Sangyo would ultimately morph into the famous Nissan zaibatsu, which included foundries and auto parts businesses like Tobata Casting and Hitachi (which began in 1910 as an in-house venture of Fusanosuke Kuhara's mining company in Hitachi, Japan), and eventually grew to include an automobile manufacturing company, of which it is now known for. By World War II, Nissan eventually grew to include a large number of member firms from various industries, some of which were the most technologically advanced in Japan at the time, and became the fourth-largest combine in Japan leading up to World War II. Following the war, the zaibatsu was dissolved in Japan, although not completely, and was reformed into Nichiyo-kai, otherwise known as the Nissan Group, which of course still exists today and owns the modern day Nissan Motor Company. In addition to its automotive manufacturing business, which it primarily became known for outside of Japan, the Group also got heavily involved in the real estate industry, which was its core business until the real estate crash of the early 1990s.

Since then, the company has, for the most part, gotten out of the real estate industry and has focused on manufacturing and insurance. Getting back to the Datsun name, in 1931, DAT Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd. became affiliated with Tobata Casting Co., Ltd. (a Nissan company at this time), which by 1928 had begun casting car components and was supplying them to DAT Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd., thus becoming a subsidiary under them albeit not a wholly owned one at this time. That same year, the company produced a new, smaller car with a 495cc engine which it called the "Datson," or the "Son of DAT" in English. The development of this car came about from a 1930 ministerial ordinance created by the Japanese government which allowed cars with engines up to 500cc to be driven without a license. DAT had already been producing larger vehicles for Japanese consumers for years now, but this ordinance created a new market segment which DAT Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd. felt it could cater to with this new car.

The name of the car would be changed not long afterwards to "Datsun" because "son" also means "loss" or "disadvantage" in Japanese, and the sun is depicted in the Japanese flag and thus they wanted to honor it. Therefore, they decided to change the name to make it more appealing and the Datsun name was officially born. During this time, Aikawa had been acquiring more shares in DAT Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd. as he desired to mass produce domestic vehicles in his homeland. In 1933, he set up an automobile department within Tobata Casting in order to produce the Datsun, which he had the manufacturing rights to. In late 1933, Aikawa established Jidosha Seizo Co.,Ltd., a joint venture of Nihon Sangyo and Tobata Casting Company. The new company took over all the operations for manufacturing Datsuns from the automobile division of Tobata Casting Co., Ltd. from this point forward. The shareholders of the new company, however, were not all that enthusiastic about the automobile succeeding in Japan.

As a result, Aikawa decided to buy out all of the Tobata Casting shareholders using capital from Nihon Sangyo. At this point, Nihon Sangyo Co., Ltd. assumed full control of the company and the corporate name was changed to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in 1934. This effectively ended both Jidosha Seizo Co.,Ltd. and Tobata Casting Co., Ltd., and was essentially the birth of the Nissan automobile manufacturing company as we know it today, with the Datsun brand being owned by Nissan. Pre and Post World War II In 1936, Nissan purchased design plans and plant facilities from US based Graham-Paige Motors Corp. which greatly helped the company to be able to produce larger vehicles. Car production was restricted in 1937 after Japan went to war with China that year and, as a result, by 1938, the main Nissan production plant in Yokohama, Japan focused primarily on building military trucks for the Imperial Japanese Army. During the war, Nissan also built engines for the army's planes and motor torpedo boats. In 1943, the production of cars and trucks was completely stopped.

In 1944, the company name was temporarily changed to Nissan Heavy Industries, Ltd. When the Pacific War (which was the Pacific portion of World War II) ended, Nissan turned their attention to providing trucks for the Occupation Forces. This would last until car production was resumed in 1947. Following the war, Aikawa, Nissan's founder, was imprisoned as a war criminal. After he was released, he was not allowed to return to any corporate or public office until 1951. By then, the Nissan zaibatsu was dissolved and reformed into Nichiyo-kai (the Nissan Group,) which was a new form of business grouping called keiretsu that emerged in Japan following the collapse of the zaibatsu. The Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. name was also reestablished, replacing Nissan Heavy Industries, Ltd. Aikawa was never allowed back into Nissan, though he went on to do other things. He died in 1967. In 1952, Nissan entered into a legal agreement with the Austin Motor Company, an English automobile manufacturer founded in 1905.

In the early 1930s, Datsun had built some cars that were closely patterned on Austins of the time. The agreement called for Nissan to assemble 2,000 Austins from imported partially assembled sets - which Nissan would have to complete - and sell them in Japan under the Austin trademark. The agreement also called for Nissan to make all Austin parts locally within three years and build the cars completely by themselves, a goal which Nissan eventually was able to meet. Nissan would produce and market Austins until 1960, when the deal expired. The agreement also gave Nissan the rights to use Austin patents, which it used in developing engines for its Datsun line of cars. Nissan also leveraged the Austin patents to further develop their own modern engine designs, beyond those of Austin, the apex of which was the A series engine in 1966. Other completely new engines followed, including the infamous four-cylinder Nissan L engine in 1967, and a six-cylinder version in 1969.

During this period from 1934 until the 1960s, the Datsun brand name was used on all of the passenger cars produced in-house by Nissan; the name was also used on some truck models as well. The Nissan name during this time was used only on trucks and buses. Foreign Expansion and Beyond In the 1950s, Nissan decided to expand into other markets outside of Japan, feeling that their small Datsun branded cars would fill unmet needs in countries such as Australia and the United States. Nissan decided to use the Datsun brand name for its exports to the US since, at this time, it was a much more successful and recognized name than Nissan. Nissan also wanted to distance its name association by Americans with Japanese military manufacture, of which Nissan's involvement was substantial; the Datsun name on the other hand, had escaped the war with its name intact. The first Datsun branded vehicle sold in the US was in 1958 and in 1960 when the company formed a US subsidiary, Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A.

From the outset of its expansion into foreign markets and continuing until the early to mid 1980s, the majority of vehicles manufactured and exported to other countries by Nissan were sold under the Datsun brand name. It wasn't until the 1960s that Nissan began to use its own name on a vehicle other than a truck or bus, domestic or foreign, when the company started to brand some of its high-end models as Nissans, such as the Nissan Cedric in 1960. The Cedric name would eventually be dropped however for most export markets for a time and sold under the Datsun name with various series numbers, until the Datsun name phased out in the 1980s. The Cedric nameplate itself was phased out by Nissan at the end of 2004, replaced by the Nissan Fuga in Japan, which is a full size luxury sedan still produced by Nissan today. The Nissan President also debuted in Japan in the 1960s, and it was a luxury sedan marketed initially to the Japanese market before eventually being exported to a few countries. It was produced until 2010 before being discontinued.

In 1959, the all new Datsun Bluebird 310 series debuted in Japan and was exported to other countries as well, a small number of which made it to the US (simply called the Datsun 310). The Bluebird nameplate, which would become Nissan's most internationally known sedan, lasted in Japan all the way until 2001, at which point it ended production. In the 1980s, it became the Nissan Bluebird when the Datsun brand was phased out. Export versions were sold under various names in addition to the Datsun Bluebird, such as the Datsun 510, which was a series of the Datsun Bluebird and was produced until 1973, and the Datsun 810, which was an upscale version of the Bluebird produced from 1976 to 1979. Both the modern day Nissan Altima (which was a replacement for the Nissan Stanza which was retired after 1992) and Nissan Maxima, two of Nissan's most well known and successful models, are continuations of the Bluebird line.

The first generation of Maximas, introduced in 1981, were initially built in Japan, but in 1983, Nissan established a manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, where it began to build Maximas among other models. The Maxima was notable for being the first “talking car” sold in the US. It featured a mini phonograph system that could play recorded warning messages. In 1989, the Maxima became the second Japanese sedan sold in the US as a mid-size. Because of the US production facility it was manufactured to be slightly wider than width-allowances for cars in Japan. The Maxima would go on to be a highly popular model, being named Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year in 1995, and making Car and Driver’s Top Ten List in 1990, 1995, and 1996. In 1982, the Maxima was joined by a compact car called the Sentra. At first it was exported from Japan as a rebadged export version of the domestic Nissan Sunny, but began to be manufactured at the Smyrna plant in 1985.

The Sunny/Sentra was also exported to Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, as well as parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Sentra came into its own in 2000, when the style diverged greatly from the Sunny. The Sentra nameplate was not used in the Japanese market. Also, in 1959, the Datsun Sports roadster, which was called the Datsun Fairlady in Japan, a name which was a link to the popular Broadway play of the era, My Fair Lady, was released. The Fairlady was a roadster produced as an inexpensive alternative to European sports cars from companies like Triumph, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. The first model was the S211 and the subsequent generation, the SPL212, was released and was the first Datsun sports car imported to the United States. The Nissan Fairlady series was the predecessor of the famous Z sports car in the Fairlady line. The Nissan S30 was the first generation series of the Z car, which debuted in 1969 in Japan as the Fairlady Z (this nameplate continues in Japan).

It was first exported to the United States in 1970 as the Datsun 240Z sports car which used a six-cylinder variation of the L series engine, and featured an independent suspension, front disc brakes, and rear drums. The 240Z also found its way to Africa where it was raced in, and won, the 1973 East African Safari Rally. The 240Z was not the only Nissan car being driven in that race, or the first. The Bluebird had been built in Pretoria, South Africa since 1969. It was raced in the Safari Rally in 1972 and 1973. During that time period Bluebirds were also being built in New Zealand. The Datsun 240Z was an immediate sensation and the coupe lifted Datsun - and Nissan - to world class status in the automobile market. The iconic car was named as number two on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s by Sports Car International in 2004. Subsequent models were released in this first generation S30 series and other generations have followed in the Z car line since.

While Nissan had made big strides in the United States, it also made significant inroads in Europe. In 1962, Finland began importing foreign cars in greater numbers than ever before. The Bluebird, although not very fast, was sturdy, which made it well suited to the rough roads of Finland. It soon surpassed SAAB and Triumph in Finnish import numbers, and became one of the first Japanese cars sold in Europe in any significant number. In 1964, the world's attention turned to the 1964 Summer Olympics, which was held in Tokyo. To try and capitalize on this, Nissan established a showroom on the second and third floors of the iconic San-ai building in Tokyo's famed Ginza district. At that time in Japan, Tokyo was the center of culture, and Ginzai was the center of culture in Tokyo.

Later, Nissan advertising manager Takashi Tsueshita remembered that at that time “fashion, culture, and many other things all began their spread from Ginzai.” To attract visitors, Nissan started using beautiful female showroom attendants and held a competition to choose its five best "Miss Fairladys" which would show off the new model, the Datsun Fairlady 1500. The candidates for the Miss Fairlady positions were trained in etiquette and knowledge of the car to make them more effective spokeswomen for Nissan. The concept of the Nissan Miss Fairladys was modeled after the "Datsun Demonstrators" from the 1930s who used to introduce cars. Miss Fairladys are still chosen today and it is a very well respected position in Japanese culture. In 1966, Datsun debuted the Datsun 1000 compact car, known as the Datsun Sunny in Japan. A second generation was released in 1970 and was called the Datsun 1200, and other series followed. Following the phase out of the Datsun name, the nameplate became the Nissan Sunny, which was produced until 2004.

Later models of the Nissan Sunny were known as the Nissan Sentra, which is still in production today. In 1966, Nissan merged with the Prince Motor Company, another Japanese automobile manufacturer which was founded in 1952. This brought more upmarket luxury cars, including the Skyline and Gloria, into the company's product line. In fact, The Prince Motor Company used to provide the Skyline to the Japanese emperor and the imperial family. The Prince name was eventually abandoned not long thereafter, and successive Skylines and Glorias were sold under the Nissan name. In the early 1970s, the Nissan Cedric and Gloria essentially merged and became the same vehicle, with the Gloria turned into a sportier, more upscale version of the Cedric. Just like the Cedric, the Gloria continued in production until 2004. The Skyline nameplate, on the other hand, continues till this day. The first Skyline model exported to the United States was in 2001, and it was sold under Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand, which launched in 1989, as the Infiniti G35; subsequent generations followed.

The Skyline had been imported to other countries long before this however. For example, models of the C110 generation of the Skyline in the 1970s were exported to other countries as the Datsun 160K, Datsun 180K, and the Datsun 240K. In 1968, the Nissan Laurel was released, which was sold in Japan until 2002 (also called the Datsun Laurel in markets until the phase out). Exports of the car ceased in the 1980s and a version was sold in the United States in the 1970s called the Datsun 200L. In 1973, The Datsun 710 car was released in the United States; it was called the Nissan Violet in Japan and was a smaller companion car to the Datsun Bluebird 610. In 1977, the previous generation Violet was expanded and was joined by two badge engineered versions, the Nissan Auster, and the Nissan Stanza.

The cars were also called Datsuns until the name was phased out for Nissan in the 1980s; the Stanza/Auster/Violet nameplates themselves were phased out in 1992. The Stanza was replaced by the Nissan Altima in North America; the Stanza was replaced by the Nissan Bluebird in Japan. In the 1970s, consumers worldwide began to prefer small economy cars due to the energy crisis of the time. This crisis triggered an increase in the demand from US consumers for the export of small Japanese cars that had a reputation for their great fuel economy and quality. To meet the growing demand, Nissan built new factories in other parts of the world like Mexico and Australia, and a factory followed in the United States in the 1980s, which was the factory in Smyrna, Tennessee. One of those small compact cars was the Datsun 310, known in Japan as the Nissan Pulsar. This first generation Pulsar was produced until 1982, at which point the Datsun name phase out was already under way. The Pulsar continued in Japan until 2000.

It was the Datsun 720 pickup that was the reason for constructing the Smyrna factory, though. In response to high tariffs placed on imported chicken by France and Germany, the US placed a high tariff on light trucks. Since this would lead to a cost increase for consumers, it would hurt Nissan's sales of its pickup trucks. This would have included the 720, the descendant of the Datsun 220 pickup truck which had been one of the first vehicles the company imported to the US. So, Nissan decided it needed to manufacture its trucks in the US. The 720 was available as a regular cab or King Cab model in the US, along with a crew cab model elsewhere. An aftermarket conversion company began to produce covered utility body modifications of the 720, which Nissan adopted as a dealer option in 1984, which it called the Bushmaster. This would provide the inspiration for the Nissan Pathfinder SUV, which debuted in 1985. Other well known Nissan models to appear in this era were the Nissan Silvia, the Nissan Leopard, and the Nissan Cherry, just to name a few.

The Datsun Name Is Phased Out In 1981, the decision was made by Nissan to stop using the brand name Datsun in other countries in favor of the Nissan company name, in order to strengthen it. The thought was that doing so would help Nissan with its pursuit of a global strategy much in the same way as Toyota and Honda, for example, which were household names in other parts of the world, while Nissan was not at the time. Eliminating the Datsun brand would simplify things as all vehicles would be branded as Nissan. Many in the automotive industry criticized the decision initially because the company was substituting a then unknown brand outside of Japan for one that was well respected. The phase out of the name was not immediate, rather it lasted for a few years. In fact, until 1983, Nissan vehicles in most export markets were still sold under the Datsun brand. At that point, the Nissan name was added and given more prominence. In some export markets, cars carried both the Datsun and Nissan name on them through 1985. It wasn't until 1986 that the phase out was complete and the Datsun brand was completely dropped.

The company's decision to drop the Datsun brand name was a very expensive undertaking as dealership signs had to be changed, advertisements were run to proclaim the change, etc. Even after all that, the Datsun brand remained more familiar than the Nissan name for years to come. That however, has of course changed. Turning Nissan Into a Household Name Starting in the mid 1990s, after the phase out of the Datsun brand was complete, Nissan set out on turning itself into a household name. Midway through 1986, the 720 was followed up by the Nissan D21 Hardbody pickup truck, which also provided the platform for the Pathfinder. The Hardbody was largely an extension of the 720. It was still available in Standard and King Cab in the US, as well as Crew Cab in overseas markets. The Hardbody title referred to the double-wall bed, compared to the 720’s single-wall bed. The Hardbody pickup truck was noted for its durability and many are still on the road today.

Although the model ceased to be produced in the US after 1997, it continued in Mexico until 2008, and is still being manufactured in Venezuela and South Africa. The Hardbody was accompanied by an SUV with which it shared most components and a visual style, the Nissan Pathfinder. At first, the Pathfinder was only available in a two-door version, but by 1990 it shifted to a four-door body style. In 1996, it was completely redesigned to a rounder style built with unibody rather than body on frame construction. The Pathfinder has gone through two more redesigns since and continues to be sold. In 1998, the D21 Hardbody pickup truck was replaced by the Nissan Frontier pickup truck. In Asia, it is called the Nissan Navara. The first generation of the Frontier/Navara was the D22 series, which has since been followed by the D40 series. In 2002, Nissan decided to pull the plug on this model in Japan, as the primary market for the vehicle is North America. 1989 was another big year for Nissan as the company unveiled its Infiniti brand.

Launched initially just in North America, Infiniti vehicles appeared in the United States for the first time in 1989 as a competitor to Toyota’s Lexus and Honda’s Acura premium brands. The Infiniti brand of cars was launched with the introduction of two models, the Q45 and the M30. A third model, the Infiniti J30, followed not long after and in 1997 its first entry into the SUV market segment, the QX4, was released. However, Infiniti vehicles were initially not well received. Sales were slow and by the mid 1990’s, the brand had fallen behind both Lexus and Acura. This trend continued and by the end of the decade, the floundering brand was without sales, an image, or a following. By the year 2000, Infiniti was facing extinction. Luckily, the company regrouped and began dedicating itself to building a new lineup of sport luxury vehicles, such as the G35 sports sedan and the FX35/45 crossover. Today, Infiniti continues to produce high performance luxury cars (coupe, sedan, and convertible), crossovers and SUVs.

In 2013, the brand was introduced in its homeland Japan for the first time. Prior to this, Infiniti models had direct equivalents in the Nissan lineup that were sold in Japan. In 1993, the Altima joined Nissan’s sedan lineup. Although it was another car in the Bluebird lineage, this one was slightly smaller than the Maxima, but larger than the Sentra. Exterior styling was done in Nissan’s California design studio and American models were built in Smyrna. Japanese models were sold as Bluebirds in Japan. By 2000, the Altima had become a North American only model. Today, it is exclusively manufactured in the United States but is also sold in other parts of North America, as well as South America, the Middle East, and Australia. At that time it was considered one of the best-handling family sedans. In 2002, it won the North American Car of the Year Award and in 2011, it was the second best-selling car in the United States. Also in 1993, Nissan entered into a partnership with Ford to market the Mercury Villager and the Nissan Quest.

The two minivans were virtually identical aside from cosmetic differences during the period that the two companies partnered, which ended in 2002. The Quest was completely redesigned for the 2004 year and continues in production today. The 1990s were also breakout years for the Z sports car series. The Nissan 300ZX, released in 1990, won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and was listed as one of its Top Ten Performance Cars. Road and Track named it one of the "Ten Best Cars in the World." In the seven years the 300ZX was in production, it was on Car and Driver’s Ten Best list every year. The 300ZX was replaced by the Nissan 350Z in 2002 and in turn the Nissan 370Z in 2008. The 370Z features a new gearbox with “synchro-rev matching,” which automatically engages the throttle to simulate heel-toe shifting. The Z series has become so popular that since 1988 there has been a convention of Z series enthusiasts called ZCON in the United States every year.

In 1998, Nissan released the Cube in Japan. The Nissan Cube is a mini MPV, and the first generation was based on the Nissan Micra (known as the March in Japan and Southeast Asia) platform. The Micra, which was first released in 1982, carried a small "Datsun" badge on the tailgate for the first two years of its existence even though Nissan was slowly phasing out the Datsun name. In some European markets, the car was known as the "Datsun-Nissan Micra". The Datsun badges however, disappeared completely by the end of 1984. Back to the Cube - it has been traditionally known as a very "cool" and safe vehicle and it is still produced today. It was released in the United States for the first time in 2009. In 1999, Nissan unveiled the Xterra in North America, which is a compact SUV. It won Motor Trend's Sport Utility of the Year award and its North American Truck of the Year award in 2000.

It won Motor Trend's Sport Utility of the Year award again in 2006, and the model continues to be produced today. While many American drivers were drawn to the sportiness of the Z series, others felt a need for something more practical. While the Hardbody compact pickup was suitable to many parts of the world and continued to be sold abroad in the 2000s, Nissan saw room in the US market for a full-size pickup. In 2004, it released the Nissan Titan to meet this need. The Titan was specifically designed for the North American market and manufactured in Canton, Mississippi. It was intended to compete with trucks from the Big Three Detroit automakers. The Titan proved popular due to its spacious interior and high towing capacity. In particular, it has sold well in the south central U.S., including Texas. In the year it was released, the Titan was nominated for North American Truck of the Year and was named best full-size truck by Edmunds. In 2007, the company released the Nissan Rogue in the United States, which is a compact crossover SUV.

The Rogue joined the Nissan Murano, which was released in 2002 and was the first crossover SUV Nissan released in the United States. The Murano is a mid-sized SUV and is still in production today. While the Titan proved popular with Texans, the Nissan Leaf proved popular with Californians (and Norwegians). With demand rising for electric vehicles, Nissan determined to build a practical electric hatchback. Where many other electric cars feature unusual designs, the Leaf was designed to draw on stylistic elements of Nissan’s already popular sedans. Although reports vary, the Leaf can run for about one hundred miles on a single charge. Nissan began producing the Leaf in Japan in 2010. Later that same year, the first leaf imported to the U.S. was delivered to California. According to a 2011 report, 60% of Leafs sold in the U.S. up to that point were purchased in California – primarily in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 2011, Nissan started constructing the Leaf in Sunderland, England for the European market. In 2013, it began building Leafs in the U.S.

at the Smyrna plant, which was upgraded for the electric vehicle using a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. In the US, the Leaf was chosen as the winner of New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow contest to form a pilot program to study the use of electric vehicles as taxis. The Leaf has also proved highly popular in Europe. In response to high gas prices and tax breaks for electric car owners many Norwegians have been turning to electric cars, for example. In September 2013, the best-selling car in Norway was the electric Tesla S. The following month it was displaced by the Leaf. In addition to popularity with eco-conscious, tech-savvy, or fuel-thrifty consumers, the Leaf has won wide critical acclaim as well. It won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year, and the 2011-12 Car of the Year Japan awards. Also in 2010, Nissan released the Juke, which is a mini SUV, in the United States. The vehicle is still in production.

In 2011, the company unveiled the Nissan NV, its first full-size van built for the United States. The NV uses the same F-Alpha platform as does the Nissan Titan full-size pickup, and is still in production today. By this point, Nissan had long succeeded in its quest to become a household name, and an automotive powerhouse. Nissan Today In 1999, Nissan entered into a strategic alliance with Renault S.A., a French automobile manufacturer which was founded in 1899, due to the severe financial difficulties Nissan was facing at the time. Per terms of the agreement, Renault took an ownership stake of a little over a third in Nissan while Nissan vowed to buy into Renault when it was financially able to do so. This occurred in 2001 after Nissan was able to turn itself around from near bankruptcy, and it bought a 15% stake in Renault. The Alliance gave the Nissan Motor Company more independence from the Nissan Group, and its successful turnaround was attributed to the fact that the chairman and CEO of the Alliance, Carlos Ghosn, was able to detach the Nissan Motor Company from Nissan keiretsu connections and debt while eliminating thousands of jobs from the Japanese workforce.

The turnaround of Nissan via Ghosn's "Nissan Revival Plan" (NRP), as it was dubbed, was considered a spectacular achievement considering how close to bankruptcy it was. It has catapulted Nissan to record profits and a dramatic revitalization of both its Nissan and Infiniti vehicle line. Today, Renault's stake in Nissan has increased to 43.4%, which is what it owns today. The Alliance itself was incorporated as the Renault-Nissan B.V., equally owned by Renault and Nissan, in 2002 under Dutch law. It's important to note that the strategic partnership between Renault and Nissan is not a merger or an acquisition; the two companies are in an alliance together through a substantial cross-shareholding agreement. Each one of the companies acts in the financial interest of the other while maintaining unique brand identities and independent corporate cultures. The two companies collaborate, borrow, and share in order to strengthen the other company where appropriate, without forcing one company's identity on the other.

The Alliance itself has broadened its scope as well, forming additional partnerships with automakers in other parts of the world, such as Germany's Daimler, China's Dongfeng Motor, and Russia's AvtoVAZ, and it has also invested in producing cars in other countries like India and Korea as well. In 2013, Nissan announced that after decades of being inactive, the Datsun nameplate would be revived as the brand name for a line of budget vehicles it was planning to manufacture for emerging markets such as India and Russia. However, Nissan has vehemently stated that the Datsun name will not be finding its way onto any vehicles in the US market. It's only fitting that we end our story of Nissan with the brand that really started it all for the company. Since then, Nissan has become one of the largest automakers in the world by making rapid moves into exporting and by always finding its niche in the local market. From the Datsun 210s and Bluebirds that were sturdy enough to survive Finnish roads and African terrain to Titans in Texas and Leafs in Norway, Nissan may hail from Japan but it’s at home all over the world. Over 4,000

Question: Which car manufacturer produced the models, Laurel, Maxima and Scarab?
Answer: Datsun