When it comes to Japanese cars, Nissan is one of the first names that comes to mind. But few know that behind this brand there is a complex history of name changes, mergers and rebrandings, dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. If you've ever wondered what was the name of Nissan before?, then the answer is not as simple as it might seem: the company has gone from a small car workshop to a global conglomerate that has absorbed dozens of brands.
The first official name with which it all began - Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works (1911), but after a few years it changed to DAT Motorcar Co., and then on Datsun - a brand that became legendary long before the word “Nissan” itself appeared. In this article we will analyze all the stages of the evolution of company names, reveal the secrets of branding and explain why some models still bear old names in certain countries.
1911–1933: Kwaishinsha era and birth of DAT
It all started in 1911, when an entrepreneur Masujiro Hashimoto founded the company Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works (Japanese: 快進社自動車工場) in Tokyo. It was a small workshop that assembled cars under license from American and European manufacturers. The first model, released in 1914, was called DAT — an abbreviation of the names of three investors: Den (Den), AOyama and Takeuchi.
Interestingly, the word "DAT" itself was not the official name of the company - it only referred to the car model. In 1918 the workshop was renamed Kwaishinsha Motorcar Co., Ltd., and in 1925 a reorganization took place: the company merged with Jitsuyo Jidosha Co. (founded in 1919) and became known as DAT Motorcar Co., Ltd.. It was this period that laid the foundation for the future of the brand. Datsun.
- 📅 1911 - base Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works.
- 🚗 1914 - release of the first model DAT.
- 🔄 1925 - merger and renaming into DAT Motorcar Co..
⚠️ Attention: Don't be confused DAT (model name) with Datsun (future brand). In the 1920s, the acronym "DAT" was not yet associated with mass production - it was more of an experimental project.
1931–1934: Emergence of Datsun and connection with Nissan
In 1931 the company DAT Motorcar Co. released a new compact car, which was called Datson (from the English "son of DAT" - "son of DAT"). However, a year later, the letter “o” was replaced with “u” - according to the official version, to emphasize the connection with Japan (Japanese “sun” - sun), and according to the unofficial version, because “son” in Japanese sounds like “loss” (損), which was considered a bad omen.
This is how the brand appeared Datsun, under which the company became famous throughout the world. But this is where the confusion begins: Nissan how the company name came about later. In 1928, a businessman Yoshisuke Aikawa founded the holding Nihon Sangyo (Japanese: 日本産業, "Japanese Industry"), who was involved in investments in various industries, including the automotive industry. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NISSAN - short for Nippon Sangyo.
In 1933 Nihon Sangyo absorbed DAT Motorcar Co., and since 1934 cars began to be produced under the brand Datsun, but as part of a group Nissan. Thus, Nissan was originally the name of a holding company, not a car brand!
| Year | Company name | Car brand | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1911–1918 | Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works | DAT (model) | First workshop, assembly under license |
| 1918–1925 | Kwaishinsha Motorcar Co., Ltd. | DAT | Official registration of the company |
| 1925–1933 | DAT Motorcar Co., Ltd. | DAT / Datson | Merger with Jitsuyo Jidosha |
| 1931–1934 | DAT Motorcar Co. (part Nihon Sangyo) | Datsun | Takeover by holding Nissan |
- Due to bad luck (son = loss)
- To be associated with Japan (sun)
- At the request of investors
- Other
1934–1980: Datsun era and global recognition
Since 1934 Datsun became the main brand for the group's export vehicles Nissan. Interestingly, within Japan the cars were sold under the brand name Nissan, and abroad - as Datsun. This strategy allowed for product differentiation in different markets. For example, in the USA and Europe Datsun was associated with reliable and affordable cars, while Nissan was little known outside of Japan.
Key models of this period:
- 🚘 Datsun Type 11 (1932) - the first production car under the brand.
- 🚗 Datsun DC-3 (1950s) - breakthrough in the American market.
- 🏁 Datsun 240Z (1970) - a sports car that has become a cult car.
- 🌍 Datsun 510 (1968) - a model that has gained popularity in the USA.
By the 1970s Datsun has become one of the best-selling foreign brands in the United States, surpassing many European competitors. However, in the 1980s the company made a strategic decision to unify its branding.
⚠️ Attention: In some countries (for example, Mexico) the brand Datsun used until 2020! This is due to historical contracts and local market characteristics.
If you are looking for spare parts for older models Datsun, pay attention to the VIN code: it often indicates the original brand name, and not Nissan
1981–1986: Switch to Nissan and disappearance of Datsun
In 1981, the company announced the gradual abandonment of the brand Datsun in favor Nissan. This process took several years:
- 📅 1981–1982 — new models begin to be sold under the brand Nissan in Japan and the USA.
- 🌐 1983–1984 — Datsun disappears from the European market.
- 🏭 1986 - latest model Datsun (280ZX) goes under brand Nissan.
Reasons for rebranding:
- Marketing unification: Nissan wanted to create a single global brand.
- Avoiding confusion: in some markets Datsun And Nissan were sold at the same time.
- Prestige: name Nissan sounded more solid for premium models.
However, the transition was not immediate. For example, in Australia Datsun 120Y sold in parallel with Nissan Pulsar until the mid-1980s. And in South Africa the brand Datsun lasted until 2006!
Why did Datsun last until 2020 in Mexico?
In Mexico the brand Datsun was extremely popular among taxi drivers due to the low cost and reliability of the models. Company Nissan decided to save it for the budget segment, releasing converted versions under this name Nissan March And Versa. Only in 2020 the brand was finally abolished in favor of Nissan>
Other brands within Nissan: Prince, Infiniti and more
Besides Datsun, group Nissan absorbed other car brands that few people know today:
| Brand | Years of existence | Reason for takeover | Famous models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince | 1952–1966 | Merger with Nissan to expand the model range | Prince Skyline, Gloria |
| Infiniti | 1989–present | Created as a premium division for the US market | Infiniti Q45, FX35 |
| Autech | 1986–present | Tuning division for the Japanese market | Nissan Stagea Autech |
Deserves special attention Prince Motor Company. The brand, founded in 1952, was famous for its innovative models such as Skyline (1957) and Gloria (1959). In 1966 Nissan absorbed Prince, but retained some models under its own brand. For example, Nissan Skyline traces its history back to Prince Skyline.
Infiniti, in turn, was created in 1989 as a response Nissan for premium brands of competitors (Lexus from Toyota and Acura from Honda). Today it is a separate division, but technically remains part of the group Nissan.
☑️ How to distinguish the old Prince model from Nissan?
Modern heritage: where else can you find old names?
Although the brand Datsun officially ceased to exist, its legacy lives on in several forms:
- 🏆 Classic cars: models Datsun 240Z, 510 And Fairlady Z today they are rare and highly prized by collectors.
- 🔧 Spare parts: many parts for old ones Datsun are still produced under the original name.
- 🌍 Local markets: in some countries (for example, Indonesia) budget models under the brand are still sold Datsun (although technically these are converted Nissan).
- 🎮 Pop culture: Datsun often appears in films, games (for example, Gran Turismo) and music as a symbol of retro style.
Fun fact: in 2013 Nissan temporarily revived the brand Datsun for the markets of India, Indonesia and Russia, releasing models Datsun on-DO And mi-DO. However, this experiment lasted only a few years - by 2020 the brand was folded again.
⚠️ Attention: If you buy a classic Datsun, make sure the vehicle has original documentation. Many cars were re-registered under Nissan after rebranding, which may make it difficult to confirm authenticity.
Brand Datsun did not disappear without a trace: its DNA is preserved in modern models Nissansuch as Z (successor Fairlady Z) and Skyline (legacy Prince).
Myths and misconceptions about Nissan names
Around the history of names Nissan There are many myths circulating. Let's look at the most common ones:
Myth 1: "Nissan is an abbreviation for 'Nippon San Gyo Sha'."
❌ Reality: Title Nissan came from ticker NISSAN on the Tokyo Exchange, which in turn was short for Nippon Sangyo ("Japanese Industry"). The letter "Sha" (社) means "company" and was not included in the abbreviation.
Myth 2: "Datsun and Nissan are two different companies."
❌ Reality: Datsun always been part of the group Nissan, was simply used as an export brand. Since 1986, all models began to be produced under a single name.
Myth 3: "Nissan bought Datsun in the 1960s."
❌ Reality: The takeover took place back in 1933, when Nihon Sangyo (future Nissan) purchased DAT Motorcar Co..
Myth 4: "In the USSR, Nissan was sold as Datsun."
❌ Reality: In the Soviet Union, only cars were officially supplied Nissan (For example, Nissan Sunny called "Datsun Sunny" in the 1970s). Title Datsun used unofficially.
To check the authenticity of information about older models Nissan, use the company's archived catalogs. For example, on the site Nissan Global Heritage there is data on all brands of the group, including Datsun And Prince.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan names
Why are Datsuns still sold in some countries?
In 2013 Nissan decided to revive the brand Datsun for emerging markets (India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa) as a budget brand. Refinished models were sold under this name Nissan, such as on-DO (based on Almera) and mi-DO (based on Micra). However, due to low demand, the project was closed by 2020.
What is the connection between Nissan and Prince?
Prince Motor Company was an independent manufacturer of premium automobiles in Japan (1952–1966). Its flagship models such as Skyline And Gloria, after merging with Nissan continued to be produced under the new brand. For example, Nissan Skyline - direct descendant Prince Skyline 1957.
Why did Datsun survive in Mexico until 2020?
In Mexico Datsun was extremely popular among taxi drivers due to its reliability and low price. Nissan retained the brand for budget models so as not to lose loyal customers. Latest Datsun in Mexico - these are refaced Nissan March And Versa, sold under the old name until a complete rebranding in 2020.
How to distinguish an original Datsun from a fake?
When purchasing a classic Datsun please note:
- VIN code (must start with
DATor320/321for models 1960–1970s). - Logo: original logo Datsun — stylized letter "D" in a blue circle.
- Documentation: PTS or registration papers must indicate Datsun, not Nissan.
Counterfeits often show mismatched parts (for example, a radiator grille from Nissan on the body Datsun).
Which Nissan models have roots in the Prince brand?
The following modern models Nissan trace their history back to Prince:
- Nissan Skyline (legacy Prince Skyline 1957).
- Nissan Gloria (discontinued in 2004, but was a direct descendant Prince Gloria).
- Nissan Cedric (developed based on technology Prince).
I wonder what Skyline GT-R - a legendary sports car - also originates from engineering solutions Prince.