From a small Datsun carmaker to a global brand behind the Skyline GT-R and the Leaf electric car
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1933 — best known for cars including the Skyline GT-R and the Leaf electric vehicle.
HISTORY
Nissan's roots trace back to Kaishinsha Motor Car Works, founded in 1911, and to DAT Motorcar Co., whose small car was named 'Datson' ('son of DAT') in 1931 and later restyled 'Datsun'. In December 1933, businessman Yoshisuke Aikawa established Jidosha Seizo Co. in Yokohama, absorbing DAT's operations; the company was renamed Nissan Motor Co. in 1934.
Nissan built a reputation for performance cars, launching the Skyline in 1957, a model line that evolved into the legendary GT-R. The company sold affordable cars worldwide under the Datsun brand for decades, and in 2010 became a pioneer of mass-market electric vehicles with the Nissan Leaf. Since 1999, Nissan has been part of an alliance with France's Renault, later joined by Mitsubishi Motors.
PRODUCTS
Performance icon descended from the 1957 Skyline
Launched 2010, one of the first mass-market electric cars
Historical export brand name used for decades before being retired and briefly revived
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.