Brand histories
The History of Nissan
Autopapyrus
The Nissan brand belongs to the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor. The company was officially founded in the first half of the last century, in 1933. Having come a long way in 80 years, this Japanese manufacturer has become a leader of the global auto industry and holds a respectable eighth place among the world's top ten carmakers. Among its Japanese competitors, Nissan ranks third, behind only giants such as Honda and Toyota.
On the global financial market, Nissan Motor is no longer a purely Japanese company. The reason is that 44.4% of its shares are owned by Renault, one of the largest French and global automakers.
The history of Nissan, as mentioned, began in 1933. On December 26 of that year, two firms, Tobata Imono and Nihon Sangyo, merged in a historic deal. As a result, starting July 1, 1934, a company called Nissan Motor appeared, first on the Japanese market and then on the global one. The name literally translates from Japanese as "Japanese Industry."
From 1935 until 1980 and a little beyond, the Nissan car brand was barely seen or heard, even though the company invested in promoting it. The world knew the company's product better under the Datsun brand, which had already existed before the two Japanese companies merged in 1933.
In 1958, the company opened up new horizons with an expansion into the U.S. market. By 1964, Nissan had become one of the main importers of cars into that market. Two years earlier, in 1962, Nissan had begun to enter the European market.
Another notable year is 1959, when Nissan opened its first production facilities outside Japan. The choice fell on Taiwan, which is geographically close. This trend continues today: with production operations in 20 countries around the world, the tireless Nissan keeps expanding its manufacturing base.
By 1976, Nissan had taken second place in the world in car exports, with twenty million cars sold. In 1981, the company signed a cooperation agreement with the German automaker Volkswagen.
In the mid-1990s, despite the heights it had reached, the company ran into serious financial difficulties. In 1999 it signed an agreement to form an alliance with the French company Renault. As a result, 44.4% of Nissan's shares went to the French, while Nissan received 15% of Renault's. Carlos Ghosn headed the alliance and led Nissan to a whole new level, scoring one big success after another.
Today the company confidently holds a leading position and looks to the future with optimism, regularly presenting new developments from its engineering and design departments.
Nissan delights drivers with high-quality passenger and commercial vehicles, and the company also produces cars under the Infiniti (premium class) and Datsun brands.
On the global financial market, Nissan Motor is no longer a purely Japanese company. The reason is that 44.4% of its shares are owned by Renault, one of the largest French and global automakers.
The history of Nissan, as mentioned, began in 1933. On December 26 of that year, two firms, Tobata Imono and Nihon Sangyo, merged in a historic deal. As a result, starting July 1, 1934, a company called Nissan Motor appeared, first on the Japanese market and then on the global one. The name literally translates from Japanese as "Japanese Industry."
From 1935 until 1980 and a little beyond, the Nissan car brand was barely seen or heard, even though the company invested in promoting it. The world knew the company's product better under the Datsun brand, which had already existed before the two Japanese companies merged in 1933.
In 1958, the company opened up new horizons with an expansion into the U.S. market. By 1964, Nissan had become one of the main importers of cars into that market. Two years earlier, in 1962, Nissan had begun to enter the European market.
Another notable year is 1959, when Nissan opened its first production facilities outside Japan. The choice fell on Taiwan, which is geographically close. This trend continues today: with production operations in 20 countries around the world, the tireless Nissan keeps expanding its manufacturing base.
By 1976, Nissan had taken second place in the world in car exports, with twenty million cars sold. In 1981, the company signed a cooperation agreement with the German automaker Volkswagen.
In the mid-1990s, despite the heights it had reached, the company ran into serious financial difficulties. In 1999 it signed an agreement to form an alliance with the French company Renault. As a result, 44.4% of Nissan's shares went to the French, while Nissan received 15% of Renault's. Carlos Ghosn headed the alliance and led Nissan to a whole new level, scoring one big success after another.
Today the company confidently holds a leading position and looks to the future with optimism, regularly presenting new developments from its engineering and design departments.
Nissan delights drivers with high-quality passenger and commercial vehicles, and the company also produces cars under the Infiniti (premium class) and Datsun brands.
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