Datsun

Year of foundation 1931-2022

A brief summary of its history as an automobile manufacturer:

Origin: Datsun was founded in 1931 as a Japanese automobile brand. The name derives from an earlier version, "Datson" ("son of DAT"), where DAT was an acronym for the surnames of the three original investors of its predecessor, Kaishinsha Motor Car Works. The name "Datson" was later changed to "Datsun" because "son" in Japanese can also mean "loser."

Acquisition by Nissan: In 1934, Datsun was acquired by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. For many years, the Datsun brand was used primarily for export, especially to the United States, to avoid the Nissan name's association with Japan's wartime history.

Iconic Models: Datsun is famous for models that have shaped the history of Japanese sports cars, such as the Datsun 240Z, a 1970s icon that helped define the affordable and reliable sports car segment. Other well-known models include the Datsun Fairlady and the Datsun 510.

The End of the Brand: In the 1980s, Nissan decided to phase out the Datsun brand to unify its global identity under a single name. The last Datsun vehicle was produced in 1986.

The Return and Re-Discontinuation: In 2013, Nissan revived the Datsun brand to produce low-cost vehicles for emerging markets, such as India and Russia. However, this initiative also ended, and the brand was discontinued again in 2022.

In short, Datsun has no history of producing motorcycles, but it is a Japanese car manufacturer with a fascinating history and highly celebrated classic car models.