14 Interesting Facts About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1933. It is currently part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, formed in 1999 when Renault acquired a 43.4% stake in Nissan. In turn, Nissan holds a 15% non-voting stake in Renault. The alliance allows the companies to share platforms, technologies, and resources, making them one of the world’s largest automotive groups.

Market Position:

In 2023, Nissan reported revenues of approximately ¥10.8 trillion ($73.3 billion). The brand is particularly well-known for its Nissan LEAF, one of the best-selling electric vehicles globally, and the Nissan Rogue, a popular SUV in markets such as North America.

While Nissan’s global ranking fluctuates, it remains a major player in the mass-market automotive segment and is recognized as a top-10 automaker by sales volume. In the electric vehicle market, Nissan holds a leading position due to its early innovations with the LEAF.

Interesting Facts About Nissan:

1. Early Beginnings: Nissan traces its origins to the Datsun brand, which was known for producing affordable, practical vehicles. The first car sold under the Nissan name was the Nissan Patrol in 1951, a rugged off-road vehicle.
2. Datsun Revival: In 2013, Nissan revived the Datsun brand for emerging markets like India, Indonesia, and Russia, offering affordable, entry-level vehicles. However, the Datsun brand was phased out again by 2022.
3. Nissan LEAF: Launched in 2010, the Nissan LEAF was one of the first mass-market electric vehicles and became a pioneer in the EV industry. As of 2023, over 600,000 LEAFs have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling electric cars globally.
4. Nissan GT-R: Known as “Godzilla”, the Nissan GT-R is an iconic high-performance sports car that has earned a legendary reputation for its speed and engineering. First introduced in 2007, the GT-R has a dedicated fan base and is often compared to supercars.
5. Partnership with NASA: Nissan has partnered with NASA to develop autonomous driving technologies. Together, they are working on an autonomous system for cars based on NASA’s Mars Rover technology, focusing on intelligent mobility and driver assistance.
6. Nissan’s Sunderland Plant: Located in the UK, Nissan’s Sunderland plant is one of the largest car manufacturing plants in Europe. It opened in 1986 and has produced over 10 million cars since then. The factory is crucial to Nissan’s European operations, producing models like the Qashqai and LEAF.
7. Carlos Ghosn’s Scandal: Nissan’s former CEO Carlos Ghosn was arrested in 2018 on charges of financial misconduct. His dramatic escape from Japan to Lebanon in 2019 captured global attention. This scandal led to significant changes in Nissan’s corporate leadership.
8. ProPILOT: Nissan’s ProPILOT system is an advanced driver assistance feature that includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, paving the way for fully autonomous driving. This technology is available on models like the Nissan Rogue and Nissan Altima.
9. Nissan’s Corporate Headquarters: The company’s global headquarters are located in Yokohama, Japan, in a state-of-the-art building opened in 2009. The headquarters includes a museum that showcases the history of Nissan’s cars and innovations.
10. Fuel Efficiency Innovations: Nissan has been a leader in fuel efficiency, pioneering the use of variable valve timing (VVT) and CVT transmissions. These innovations have helped Nissan vehicles achieve better fuel economy, particularly in compact models like the Sentra and Versa.
11. Nissan Rogue: The Nissan Rogue is one of the company’s best-selling models, especially in the U.S. market. Its combination of affordability, spaciousness, and technology features makes it a popular choice in the competitive compact SUV segment.
12. Nissan Patrol: The Nissan Patrol is an off-road SUV that has been in production since 1951. It is a favorite in regions like the Middle East and Australia, known for its durability and ruggedness.
13. Nissan Dayz: The Nissan Dayz is a kei car (a small, compact car class in Japan) that is known for its high fuel efficiency and maneuverability in urban settings. It represents Nissan’s commitment to producing small, eco-friendly cars.
14. Nissan Ariya: The Nissan Ariya is an all-electric crossover SUV, marking Nissan’s next step in the EV market. It was unveiled in 2020 and features futuristic design and Nissan’s latest autonomous driving and connectivity technologies.

Famous Owners of Nissan:

1. Paul Walker: The Fast & Furious actor was a well-known car enthusiast and owned several Nissan Skylines, including the R34 Skyline GT-R that he drove in the movie franchise.
2. Jay Leno: The famous comedian and car collector has a Nissan GT-R in his vast car collection. He has praised its performance and engineering in several reviews.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimović: The Swedish football star is known for his love of fast cars and has been seen driving a Nissan GT-R.
4. Margot Robbie: The Australian actress was named Nissan’s Electric Vehicle Ambassador in 2017. She has promoted the Nissan LEAF and appeared in various campaigns advocating for sustainable mobility.
5. Tom Cruise: The Hollywood superstar has been spotted in a Nissan GT-R. Known for doing his own stunts, Cruise appreciates the speed and handling of the vehicle.