Nissan Motor Company
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer known for producing passenger cars, trucks, electric vehicles, and performance cars.
Early History
Founded: 1933
Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan
The company began as Jidosha-Seizo Co., Ltd., later renamed Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
The name “Nissan” comes from Nippon Sangyo (Japan Industries), the holding company that backed the automaker.
Growth and Global Expansion
In the 1950s and 1960s, Nissan started exporting vehicles globally, especially under the Datsun brand.
Datsun became popular in the U.S. and other markets for being affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient.
By the 1980s, Nissan phased out the Datsun name and unified its branding under Nissan worldwide.
Innovation and Technology
Nissan is known for strong engineering and innovation, including:
VQ engines, widely praised for performance and reliability
Early adoption of electric vehicles, especially the Nissan LEAF (launched in 2010), one of the world’s first mass-market EVs
Advanced safety and driver-assist technologies like ProPILOT Assist
Alliance and Modern Era
In 1999, Nissan formed the Renault–Nissan Alliance (later including Mitsubishi).
This partnership helped Nissan recover financially and expand global development and manufacturing.
Nissan now operates factories and research centers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Performance and Popular Models
Nissan is known for a wide range of vehicles, including:
Nissan Altima – midsize sedan
Nissan Rogue/X-Trail – popular SUV
Nissan Patrol – full-size SUV
Nissan GT-R – high-performance sports car
Nissan LEAF – electric vehicle pioneer
Today
Today, Nissan focuses on:
Electrification and hybrid technology
Sustainable mobility
Advanced autonomous driving systems
Nissan products to date, grouped by category. (Availability can vary by country, but these are Nissan’s main global models over time.)
🚗 Passenger Cars (Sedans, Hatchbacks, Compacts)
Nissan Sunny / Versa
Nissan Micra (March)
Nissan Tiida
Nissan Sentra
Nissan Altima
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Bluebird
Nissan Teana
Nissan Skyline (non-GT-R variants)
Nissan Pulsar
Nissan Primera
Nissan Note
🚙 SUVs & Crossovers
Nissan Rogue / X-Trail
Nissan Qashqai (Dualis)
Nissan Murano
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Patrol
Nissan Armada
Nissan Terrano
Nissan Juke
Nissan Kicks
Nissan Magnite
Nissan Ariya (electric SUV)
🛻 Pickup Trucks & Commercial Vehicles
Nissan Navara (Frontier)
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Titan
Nissan Hardbody (D21)
Nissan NP200 / NP300
Nissan Urvan
Nissan Caravan
Nissan Atlas
Nissan Cabstar
⚡ Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
Nissan LEAF
Nissan Ariya
Nissan e-NV200
Nissan Note e-POWER
Nissan Serena e-POWER
Nissan X-Trail e-POWER
🏎️ Sports & Performance Cars
Nissan GT-R
Nissan 370Z
Nissan 350Z
Nissan Z (2023–present)
Nissan Silvia
Nissan 240SX
Nissan Fairlady Z (historic Z-cars)
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33, R34)
🚐 Vans & MPVs
Nissan Serena
Nissan Elgrand
Nissan Quest
Nissan Lafesta
Nissan Presage
🚜 Special / Off-Road & Utility
Nissan Safari
Nissan Terrano II
Nissan Patrol Pickup
Military & utility vehicles (limited production)
