11 Facts About Nissan

Nissan Logo Icon (credit: nissan)

There is an aspect strangely rewarding with regard to discovering facts that lie beneath huge automotive brands, if you have ever gone down a rabbit hole of vehicle knowledge at one in the morning (I understand, I have been there). Nissan is one of those companies that appears straightforward at first glance, but upon closer inspection, you discover that there is much more happening beneath the emblems, logos, and iconic vehicles like the 300ZX and Skyline GT-R. For many years, I believed that I understood Nissan: dependable, inventive, the maker of the LEAF, and the company powering my friend's Maxima, which seemingly never dies. However, following discovering these details, I repeatedly found myself asking, "Wait... really?" Listed below are 11 Nissan facts that reveal a more detailed, unusual, and interesting aspect of the company than the majority of drivers ever understand.

1. Nissan Was Originally Called Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works: Masujiro Hashimoto established the business in 1911 using the name Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works. Yes, the name is a bit long, however the self-assurance is practically admirable. The name did not change into the straightforward, modern Nissan we are familiar with presently until years afterwards.

2. Nissan Has Used The Name “Datsun” For Global Exports Since The 1930s: Nissan delivered vehicles under the Datsun label years prior to the brand being well-known outside. The name was brief, simple to recall, and appropriate for global markets. If you have ever witnessed a classic Datsun 240Z fly by at a car show, you are aware of how exciting that logo is.

3. Nissan Has Produced Engines For Aircraft & Military Vehicles: Nissan's engineering brilliance in early WWII Japan extended much further than automobiles. The company's facilities manufactured engines for military vehicles and airplanes. Although it is a complex aspect of their past, it additionally demonstrates the broad range of their mechanical know-how prior to when the brand was well-known to the general public.

4. Nissan Was Once Part of a Major Zaibatsu Conglomerate Called Ni-hon San-gyo: Have you ever wondered how Nissan earned its name? It is essentially an abbreviation for the industrial group to which it originated, Ni-hon San-gyo. Nissan was an entity of a large corporate organization that handled every aspect from machinery to the production of automobiles.

5. Nissan Has Its Own In-House Tuning & Performance Brand Called NISMO: NISMO was just Nissan's motorsport business prior to selling track-tuned Zs or limited-edition GT-Rs. Increasing the potential of automobiles that already managed effectively was an obsession for engineers. NISMO eventually evolved into a full-fledged performance brand, and currently admirers discuss NISMO models in the same respect that sneaker-heads discuss limited releases.

6. Nissan Developed The First Mass-Produced V6 Engine in Japan (VG Series): For engine enthusiasts, this will be an entertaining one: Nissan produced the VG series, Japan's first mass-produced V6, which made its public appearance in 1983. It powered iconic vehicles like the Maxima, the 300ZX, and a number of self-assured 1980s sedans that continue to appear on the road presently. These vehicles typically had very smooth running for their age.

7. Nissan Created The World’s First Commercial All-Electric Car in 1947 (Tama EV): Whenever discussing EVs, everybody brings up the Nissan LEAF, however decades before, the company produced the Tama EV, a little vehicle with a range of 30 to 60 kilometers. Although it was unable to get you very far on a weekend getaway, that was a daring engineering for 1947. It makes the advancement of present-day EVs appear similar to an extended, persistent climb than a quick jump.

8. Nissan Pioneered ATTESA E-TS: If you have witnessed somebody brag over the Skyline GT-R, it is likely that they are unknowingly complimenting its ATTESA E-TS AWD system. This technology could change power nearly right away, reacting more quickly than a person. It seems extreme, however after seeing GT-Rs cut through bends, I can see why certain drivers claim that it seems like the vehicle understands what you are going to do prior to you doing it.

9. Nissan Introduced Super-HICAS: Considering that Nissan used rear-wheel steering decades before, it continues to seems futuristic. Super-HICAS made it possible for the automobile to pivot more effortlessly by allowing the back wheels to move somewhat. It was remarkably efficient when making large, heavy coupes. Whenever you describe it to an individual who has no knowledge of it, they frequently treat you as though you are discussing magic.

10. Nissan Has Produced Cars Continuously Longer Than Almost Any Japanese Automaker: Three years after it was founded, Nissan's first vehicle, the DAT, was introduced, laying the groundwork for the company's continued relevance in the face of economic fluctuations, war, and over a century of shifting consumer expectations.

11. Nissan Built One of The First Fully Autonomous Driving Test Cars: Nissan had an R33 Skyline that could drive itself on roads prior to recent technological giants flooded the roads with self-driving cars. This was not some future pod; rather, it was a sports coupe with a typical appearance but the ability to take over the wheel. Even today, the concept seems crazy.

Reasons The Above Facts Are Still Important Presently

In 2025, you may ask the reason why any of the above is relevant. Nissan's perseverance, engineering competence, and openness to experiment with initiatives that seem a little more advanced than their time may all be explained by an awareness of their background. The above facts offer you insights to share, whether you are seeking to buy a car, are fascinated by automotive background, or just are interested in surprising somebody at a weekend car meetup. They serve as an indication that even well-known companies maintain generations of undercover testing. And really? I now have a greater appreciation for Nissan after understanding this. I progressed from merely admiring the brand to actually appreciating the unique features and choices that made it what it is today.

Summary: A Legacy Still Moving

Nissan is more than simply "the company that builds the GT-R" or "the one with the reasonably priced EVs." Unique concepts, surprising turns, and occasionally audacious engineering have helped define the identity of this company. The above 11 Nissan facts demonstrate that even popular manufactures have unexpected pasts. The following time you encounter a Nissan on the road, whether it is a slick new Z, an ever-lasting Maxima, or a vintage Datsun, you are going to remember that it carries a century's worth of history.