Datsun brand in 2014

[GreenZZZ]

Got an email from a colleague in Tokyo stating that the top page of today's Nikkei Newspaper, it said, "Nissan to restart Datsun brand starting 2014"

- 800 - 1000cc mainly
- Initial price target of less than US$6,250 (@JPY80/US$)
- Initial target market is India, Russia, and Indonesia

Indeed... http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/freetop.aspx

[72 OJ]

any pictures on the logo that will be used...

[GreenZZZ]

A bit of googling...

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012...brand-in-2014/

My take is a bit more confusing marketing from Nissan. Datsun reintroduction in the US would be a good counter to the Scion FR-S. Instead it goes to the ultra low market...

[72 OJ]

Yep...an entry level car,,,,,do not like ........thanks for the picture update,they are keeping the original logo and colors.

[GreenZZZ]

Yep...an entry level car,,,,,do not like ........thanks for the picture update,they are keeping the original logo and colors.

Just an old logo for the news story, I can't find any reference to a car or a logo/badging as of yet.

[Taz0162]

Über excited about an old nameplate returning. Low end cars might cheapen the name though. But... More Datsun memorabilia, shirts, signs, etc. will be cool. Plus the reintroduction of the Datsun name into the market could increase the popularity of the older models and could help increase the nos parts for older model restorations.

[black gold man]

[Taz0162]

Not as nice as the old emblems. :-(.

[Twentysixouncer]

That emblem is a chop.

[EhlersRS]

It's ironic that you posted this article. I was thinking about the Nissan USA 240Z restoration program from the late 90's and wondered if Nissan would ever re-introduce the 240Z like GM brought back the Camaro and Challenger. Of course the "reinvented" 240Z would be a much different car in terms of mechanics and weight, but it could retain the same body and interior styling from the 70's. The 370ZX has morphed into a vehicle that doesn't really resemble the Z line anymore, and I'd like to see the classic 70's look make a come back!

Robert S.

[five&dime]

Sorry if this is a re-post.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/...ntcmp=features

[sblake01]

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/s...060#post391060

[Arne]

Merged threads.

[SteveJ]

Rumors have been going around for a while...http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011...being-revived/

[tamo3]

NISSAN denied this as official announcement.
http://translate.google.com/translat...F02124175.html

I goes to India 3,4 times a year. I see Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, but only few of Nissan's car.
In Russia, Mitsubishi is the big name over Honda, Nissan.

I haven't heard Nissan is planning to build cars in India nor Russia to expand their market share.

[Z Speed]

Datsun? What is this that you speak of?

I hope they don't water down the name. I like the name having a bit of mistique to it....

[5thhorsemann]

It's ironic that you posted this article. I was thinking about the Nissan USA 240Z restoration program from the late 90's and wondered if Nissan would ever re-introduce the 240Z like GM brought back the Camaro and Challenger. Of course the "reinvented" 240Z would be a much different car in terms of mechanics and weight, but it could retain the same body and interior styling from the 70's. The 370ZX has morphed into a vehicle that doesn't really resemble the Z line anymore, and I'd like to see the classic 70's look make a come back!

Robert S.

I think the 370 is the closest they have come to the 240 since the 280, side by side they share a bunch of lines and contours. I've been looking for one for about a year now at the mid atlantic auctions with no luck yet. The Z of old couldn't be made to pass regulatory mustard, and frankly, no one would buy one.

Also, Datsun was famous for the entry level car market in the 70's. Can you remember the B210?

[Gary in NJ]

It's ironic that you posted this article. I was thinking about the Nissan USA 240Z restoration program from the late 90's and wondered if Nissan would ever re-introduce the 240Z like GM brought back the Camaro and Challenger. Of course the "reinvented" 240Z would be a much different car in terms of mechanics and weight, but it could retain the same body and interior styling from the 70's. The 370ZX has morphed into a vehicle that doesn't really resemble the Z line anymore, and I'd like to see the classic 70's look make a come back!

Robert S.

Don't hold your breath waiting for Datsun/Nissan to revive the 240Z. Your best bet is to get on a waiting list for a Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ. That's what I did (BRZ).

[grnsky]

Did the Bmmer beat them to it?

[72 OJ]

No 240 Z revival ,,,,The new DATSUN initial car will be a micro model based on the NISSAN V platform with a 3 cly 1.0 and 1.3 ltr engine.

[Gary in NJ]

Did the Bmmer beat them to it?

Nope. The Z4 Coupe is too expensive (40K), too heavy (3100+). The M version is more in the wrong direction.

Remember, the 240Z was all about an affordable, lightweight sports car. The Z4 is neither. The FT-86 is both.

[5thhorsemann]

Agreed, I test drove a Z4 before buying my old 350Z. The Z4 is not a fun car to drive when compared to a real sports car, it felt like I was continuously trying to keep the car from getting into trouble where the 350 was relaxed and keeping me out of that same trouble with it's superior handeling and performance. I can't wait to get into a 370, aside from the new transmission, it drives like the 350.

[GreenZZZ]

WSJ picked up the article too. Probably best coverage I've read
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

[FastWoman]

Datsun? What is this that you speak of?

I hope they don't water down the name. I like the name having a bit of mistique to it....

Me too. I don't know whether it's true, and I'm sure I will be corrected by somebody on this, but the badge "Datsun" was supposedly used to avoid embarrassment to the Nissan Corp., should the line of automobiles become a complete flop. Is this happening all over again with this budget line of cars for emerging markets?

[Quinn'Z]

Über excited about an old nameplate returning. Low end cars might cheapen the name though. But... More Datsun memorabilia, shirts, signs, etc. will be cool. Plus the reintroduction of the Datsun name into the market could increase the popularity of the older models and could help increase the nos parts for older model restorations.

I hope. Maybe they'll use the same components from our z's and there will be parts and wiring harnesses and windshield wipers and... I'm awake now. Wasn't there's place in Cali a few years bank that was restoring s30's and seeking them for like 30k$? Winner if they have any parts left over. Whoa, dreaming again.

[SteveJ]

I hope. Maybe they'll use the same components from our z's and there will be parts and wiring harnesses and windshield wipers and... I'm awake now. Wasn't there's place in Cali a few years bank that was restoring s30's and seeking them for like 30k$? Winner if they have any parts left over. Whoa, dreaming again.

It was 15 years ago. There were two places in California fixing up 70 - 72 Z cars. Those cars were sold through 10 Nissan dealerships.

One of the places was Classic Datsun Motorsports. The owner, Les Cannaday, is a member here. His username is CDM.

[black gold man]

My local news in DETROIT just reported the revamp of the DATSUN name.
They showed some 510s and talked DATSUN for a moment.

[72 OJ]

black gold man....paper or tv, please give me the source ........

[sblake01]

Me too. I don't know whether it's true, and I'm sure I will be corrected by somebody on this, but the badge "Datsun" was supposedly used to avoid embarrassment to the Nissan Corp., should the line of automobiles become a complete flop. Is this happening all over again with this budget line of cars for emerging markets?

Sarah, that's another one of those Datsun stories that makes me cringe when I hear it. The Datsun name had been around since the early 30s in Japan and solidly associated with Nissan. I would think they would have chosen a different name if that was the intent.

[72 OJ]

1914 the DAT car was built by KAISHINSHA MOTORCAR WORKS.In 1931 the name became DAT MOTORCAR CO. In 1933 NISSAN took control of DAT MOTORCAR CO.Along came the spelling===DATSON===son in Japanese means loss, so the SUN came into play.

[sblake01]

I mention the early 30s because Jim Johnsons 1936 Datsun Model 15 Phaeton, clearly badged 'Datsun' and built long before any were imported to the U.S, is the earliest Datsun vehicle that I've actually seen in person. We had taken my 64 Pickup to the show and it was usually the earliest Datsun in attendance but, in this case, it got edged out by a couple of decades.

[Willoughby Z]

IMO, Nissan- who had merged with Datsun- felt that there was more recognition of the Datsun brand name as it had world-wide acceptance from partnerships or alliances, whatever the deals may have been with Ford, Austin and others. Nissan built trucks for the military during WWll. Datsun seemed to have returned to their automotive roots, post-war.
Don't forget the Maxima/Altima era, with circle-bar badges, "Datsun by Nissan".

[sblake01]

There was always the one I referred to as my 'identity crisis' car - The 1981 Maxima/Datsun 810 by Nissan.

[26th-Z]

It was 15 years ago. There were two places in California fixing up 70 - 72 Z cars. Those cars were sold through 10 Nissan dealerships.

One of the places was Classic Datsun Motorsports. The owner, Les Cannaday, is a member here. His username is CDM.

There were four shops; PierreZ (which did the majority of them), Classic Datsun, Datsun Alley, and Old Car Service. They were part of the Vintage Z restoration program, part of the Z-Store program, part of the 'Dream Garage' advertisement campaign in 1997-1998. In fact, many stock parts were re-manufactured for the program. Many of those parts are still available today.

[HS30-H]

IMO, Nissan- who had merged with Datsun- felt that ...

Enough of this nonsense, please.

Nissan didn't - couldn't - 'merge' with Datsun. 'Datsun' was merely a badge, an emblem, on Nissan products.

I still see people writing that "Datsun did.." this, that "Datsun made.." that. It was always Nissan that did, Nissan that made. 'Datsun' was a flag of convenience for all the time that made any difference. The 'Nissan' name, used on war materiel all too fresh in the minds of some, was seen as the potential post-war embarrassment. But if anything, it was the inconsistent use of the 'Datsun' brand and the confusion caused after the decision to ( partially... ) drop it that caused the embarrassment.

And now people still don't understand. The decision to bring the 'Datsun' brand back for some export markets is for entirely different reasons than it was used in export markets in the first place. There's no direct connection.

It would have made more sense to use the correct Nissan branding from the beginning, or - once the decision had been made to use the 'Datsun' branding for exports ( and - confusingly - just some domestic models ) - to stick with it. In my opinion both a mistake to use it in the first place, and to drop it. And now - let's see how it pans out - a lot of confusion and time spent explaining - now that it's coming back for it's slight return.

One has to wonder whether the people planning all this could successfully arrange a piss-up in a brewery...

[26th-Z]

I get all nostalgic with this Datsun thing and I'm not all that thrilled with what I'm reading. The 'Datsun' isn't coming to the U.S. That's clear (even though we could USE more economical cars). Datsun represents some form of grace to me. But true, Datsun history goes back to the early thirties. Don't forget the 1933 Datsun fire truck!

[26th-Z]

Well put, Alan.

[sblake01]

But true, Datsun history goes back to the early thirties. Don't forget the 1933 Datsun fire truck!

I've never seen in in person wheras I've actually sat in Mr. Johnson's '36.

[Willoughby Z]

@HS30-H>

I yield that the use of word "merge" was/is not entirely exact. Nippon Sangyo acquired/purchased DAT Motors and with other corporate "blending", entered the automotive market.
And yes, people say "Datsun this" and "Datsun that". And, correct or not, enthusiasts of USA brands usually reference changes and decisions by the marque or division, rather than the parent manufacturer.-Chevrolet vs. GM or Dodge vs. Chrysler.
The core of the point that I was attempting to put forward was that Nissan wasn't leading with a sacrificial name but distancing new products from themselves in an expanding market from perceived post-war prejudices- a point on which we seem to agree somewhat.

"And now people still don't understand. The decision to bring the 'Datsun' brand back for some export markets is for entirely different reasons than it was used in export markets in the first place. There's no direct connection."

Other than FastWoman's comment (repeating an oft- said theory) I must be missing where any posters were connecting any purpose, with similarities or not, to choosing "Datsun" as a brand name with their recent announcement to market in third-world countries.

I also feel that they have missed the benefit of brand loyalty. Lessons of past generations seem to be lost on future generations.

[HS30-H]

I yield that the use of word "merge" was/is not entirely exact.

"Not entirely exact". I like that. Reminds me of Evelyn Waugh's character Mr Salter replying to Lord Copper. "So Salter, Yokohama is the capital of Japan - yes?". "Up to a point, Lord Copper...".

Other than FastWoman's comment (repeating an oft- said theory) I must be missing where any posters were connecting any purpose, with similarities or not, to choosing "Datsun" as a brand name with their recent announcement to market in third-world countries.

You don't think they have a purpose, or you just don't know? Thing is, they've been talking about this in Japan for years now. It's not an American thing, it's not a European thing. It's most definitely not a British thing ( nimwits over here taunt GT-R owners about their "Datsun". It's seen as a pejorative ). It's about "emerging markets". Now that they've remembered that they were Nissan all along, they are diving into the dressing-up chest and popping up as 'Infiniti' and 'Datsun' to cater for different sectors. It's just going to lead to more confusion if it's not handled properly.

It's already looking a little muddled...