Datsun

The Datsun name first appeared in 1931 when DAT Motorcar Co. in Tokyo developed its 495 cc Datson Type 10, marking Japan’s entry into compact car manufacturing. Renamed “Datsun” in 1933 to evoke the rising sun, the brand quickly gained international renown. From the sporty 1968–73 510 sedan to the Z-series roadsters and coupes, Datsun combined reliability with spirited performance, helping establish Japanese automakers in the U.S. and Europe by the 1970s. Revived by Nissan in June 2013 as an entry-level marque for emerging markets, Datsun delivered models like the Go hatchback and redi-Go micro-crossover across India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. Although discontinued again in April 2022 to consolidate Nissan’s global branding, the recent Datsun chapter underscored the enduring appeal of affordable, no-frills mobility in growth markets.