Nissan is a well-established identify within the Australian market, servicing a wide range of automotive segments and providing sturdy alternate options to among the gross sales heavy-hitters like Toyota and Mitsubishi.

Although the model has had a presence in Australia for the reason that Nineteen Thirties it wasn’t till the Nineteen Sixties that Nissan – and Datsun – gained a foothold within the native market with a neighborhood manufacturing program. Since then it’s turn out to be a prime vendor, with a number of iconic nameplates serving the Australian market throughout a number of generations.

The Patrol specifically, a big four-wheel drive SUV, is an instance of what helped Nissan to its standing in the present day, whereas vehicles just like the Qashqai and X-Path stay sturdy choices within the fashionable market.

It’s additionally managed to safe success in motorsports each in Australia and abroad, boosting its repute and cementing the legendary standing of sports activities vehicles just like the Skyline GT-R and 240Z.

Nissan is presently concerned in a strategic alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi, working to develop electrical automobile (EV) tech and develop new variations of its present fashions just like the Navara ute.

In-house tech developments embrace superior hybrid tech within the type of e-Energy, utilised in particular variations of the Qashqai and X-Path, alongside the EV tech it pioneered with the mass-market launch of the Leaf 14 years in the past.

Interested by the place the model got here from, what it sells, and why it was known as Datsun? Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to learn about Nissan, considered one of Japan’s largest automakers.

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What’s Nissan?

Although it didn’t begin as Nissan, the corporate that kicked issues off was based as Kwaishinsha Motor Automotive Works in 1911 by mechanical engineer Masujiro Hashimoto in Tokyo, Japan.

The Kwaishinsha Motor Automotive Works firm started its automotive journey in 1914, when it launched its first automotive – the DAT 31. The identify was taken from the initials of the surnames of the corporate’s three main traders.

In 1918, the Kwaishinsha firm commissioned a brand new manufacturing unit in Japan and formally turned the DAT Motor Car Firm. It then started producing DAT army vans, although business operations had been placed on maintain as the corporate contributed to Japan’s efforts within the First World Battle.

After producing mild vehicles and vans within the early Nineteen Twenties, DAT Motors merged with one other Japanese firm and moved its base to Osaka in 1926. In 1931 it launched the Kind 11, which had the nickname ‘son of DAT’ and subsequently wore the Datson identify.

The identify was quickly adjusted to Datsun, because the phrase “son” can even imply “loss” in Japanese. The Datsun identify was first used on the Datsun 10 in 1932.

Individually, Japanese entrepreneur Yoshisuke Aikawa based the holding firm Nihon Sangyo in 1928. It was from that firm the Nissan identify emerged, derived from its ‘NiSan’ abbreviation used on the Tokyo Inventory Change.

The Nissan firm, a conglomerate that owned different corporations like Hitachi, took management of DAT Motors in 1933, after which it was moved to the town of Yokohama. The Nissan Motor Firm was established in the identical 12 months regardless of issues over an absence of demand for passenger vehicles in Japan.

In 1934, the primary Datsun (produced by Nissan) arrived in Australia within the type of the Kind 12, in any other case referred to as the Phaeton. It provided a 750cc water-cooled inline four-cylinder engine mated with a three-speed handbook, providing a most energy output of 9kW.

The development of Nissan’s manufacturing unit in Yokohama was completed in 1935, with 44 Datsuns subsequently shipped to Asia, and Central and South America. The primary automotive carrying the Nissan identify – the 70 – was launched in 1937, constructed with gear bought from the US which meant it had similarities with comparable Fords and Chevrolets.

Within the late Nineteen Thirties, Nissan constructed vans, planes, and engines for the Japanese Military, and in 1937 moved its headquarters to Xinjing in what’s now China. It once more supported the Japanese conflict effort all through the Second World Battle, although its head workplace was moved again to Tokyo in 1944.

Manufacturing resumed following the conflict, however not earlier than Nissan developed its Tama electrical automotive in response to world oil shortages in 1947. With an all-electric drivetrain, the Tama was mentioned to be able to travelling slightly below 100km on a cost.

The Yokohama plant started producing vehicles once more in 1952, manufacturing a model of the Austin A40. Nissan entered a authorized settlement with Austin in 1952, beneath which it produced greater than 20,000 Austins for the Japanese market till 1959.

Nissan benefitted from the settlement and leveraged a number of engine designs from Austin, which had been utilised in Datsun fashions within the Nineteen Sixties. Most notable was the 240Z sports activities automotive, which was launched in 1969 and rapidly boosted Nissan’s repute with its fascinating standing.

1966 additionally noticed Nissan’s merger with the Japanese Prince Motor Firm, which introduced with it extra upmarket vehicles just like the Skyline and Gloria.

Within the early Nineteen Sixties, Australian industrialist Lawrence Hartnett turned conscious of the model and was impressed by the Datsun Bluebird P310. That then prompted him to safe Australian distribution rights for the mannequin, which led to the meeting of 20,000 Bluebirds yearly for the Australian market from 1966.

These fashions had been produced at a manufacturing unit in Sydney from 1966, the identical 12 months Nissan Motor Firm Australia was established. Such developments adopted the arrival of the four-wheel drive Patrol, which went on sale in Australia in 1960.

Nissan opened its Australian headquarters in Dandenong, Victoria in 1977. Manufacturing started in Clayton in the identical 12 months with the Datsun 200B, adopted by Nissan’s determination to section out the Datsun identify worldwide in 1983.

Subsequent Australian-produced fashions bearing the Nissan identify included the Gazelle (a rebadged Silvia) and Pulsar, adopted by the Skyline and Pintara in 1986. Nissan’s Australian manufacturing resulted in 1992 after figures had fallen from greater than 50,000 to lower than 36,000.

Nissan’s motorsports pedigree in Australia had been rising since 1958 with the Datsun 210’s class win within the 16,000km Australian Mobilgas Trial endurance race, although it correctly stamped its identify within the historical past books in 1991.

The R32 Skyline GT-R, colloquially referred to as Godzilla, turned the primary Japanese automotive to win the Bathurst 1000 in 1991 by the hands of Jim Richards and Mark Skaife, a feat it repeated in 1992.

Nissan additionally gained the Australian Touring Automotive Championship in each years, and stays the one a number of winner at Bathurst in addition to Holden and Ford.

The model returned to the V8 Supercars collection in 2013, following adjustments to eligibility guidelines permitting Kelly Racing to enter vehicles based mostly on the Nissan Altima. The group was in a position to rating a podium on the 2014 Bathurst 1000 and three race wins earlier than the Altima was retired on the finish of 2019.

That very same 12 months was the fiftieth anniversary of the GT-R, commemorated with a particular version of the long-lasting GT-R R35. Nissan can be a outstanding competitor within the FIA Formulation E collection, which it joined within the 2018/19 season.

In 1999, Nissan entered a partnership with Renault amidst monetary difficulties. Mitsubishi joined the settlement in 2016 as Nissan acquired a 34 per cent controlling stake within the firm, whereas Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda are presently in a partnership to develop electrical automobiles (EVs).

The 2000s had been a decade of change for Nissan. It launched a few of its present best-sellers just like the X-Path and Qashqai in 2001 and 2007 respectively, whereas the long-standing Silvia sports activities coupe met its finish in 2002.

It launched its 350Z sports activities automotive in 2003, adopted by the 370Z in 2009. The R35 GT-R, which is now reaching the top of its life, additionally broke cowl in 2007.

Nissan is dedicated to growing electrical expertise, kicked off in 2010 by the world’s first mass-market EV; the Leaf.

It has a collection of latest automobiles on the best way, specifically the next-generation Patrol and Navara, the latter of which shall be developed together with the Mitsubishi Triton.

In 2023, Nissan was ranked the eighth largest producer globally with 3,374,271 items produced. It presently operates services in 5 continents, together with Japan, China, Malaysia, the USA, South Africa, and Spain.

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Which manufacturers is Nissan competing towards?

Nissan is competing with a variety of manufacturers on account of its different lineup, with key rivals being established manufacturers like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Volkswagen.

Toyota is the best-aligned rival Nissan has, with a good portion of every lineup competing straight.

The C-HR and Corolla Cross go up towards the Juke and Qashqai respectively, although the C-HR is costlier than the Juke. The C-HR outsold the Juke by greater than 4000 items in 2023, whereas round 1000 extra Corolla Cross items had been offered over the Qashqai.

Mid-sized SUVs just like the RAV4 and X-Path are additionally sturdy rivals, whereas the LandCruiser and Patrol are long-standing rivals with loads of similarities. Toyota has the higher hand in gross sales by a big margin for each fashions.

Toyota’s HiLux ute additionally dominates the Navara in gross sales, whereas the pair even have sports activities vehicles that may go toe-to-toe within the type of the Supra and Z respectively.

Mitsubishi can examine the X-Path with the Outlander given they share their underpinnings, whereas additionally competing with the Navara with its Triton – although the latter pair will share a platform for his or her subsequent technology.

Mazda’s smaller SUVs just like the CX-3 and CX-30 are well-aligned with the Juke and Qashqai, although Mazda proved to be a stronger vendor than Nissan in that class final 12 months.

The German model’s Amarok is much like the Navara too, even when Nissan’s providing is outdated by comparability.

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What are you able to presently purchase from Nissan?

Nissan’s vary isn’t the most important of the producers in Australia, but it surely covers a wide range of vehicles from smaller EVs, completely different SUVs, utes, and even a high-performance sports activities automotive.

Nissan’s Australian line-up is as follows:

All costs are earlier than on-road prices. Click on on the automotive’s identify to be taken to its touchdown web page on our web site.

All fashions besides the Leaf are nonetheless in manufacturing, because it’s set to get replaced by the electrical Ariya SUV in Australia. An arrival date for that automotive is just not but identified, however you’ll be able to nonetheless get your palms on a Leaf till inventory runs out.

You additionally haven’t been in a position to purchase a brand new GT-R right here since 2021, as adjustments to the Australian Design Guidelines (ADRs) introduced stricter aspect impression requirements the legendary sports activities automotive couldn’t meet.

There’s nonetheless loads of selection in the event you’re out there for a brand new Nissan.

The smallest automotive in Nissan’s lineup is the Juke, which is powered by a 1.0-litre turbo four-cylinder mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated.

Different vehicles within the lineup utilising solely a petroleum engine embrace the Pathfinder (3.5-litre V6), Patrol (5.6-litre V8), and Z (3.0-litre twin-turbo V6). The Qashqai and X-Path have the choice of four-cylinder petrol engines, although you’ll be able to go for Nissan’s e-Energy hybrid system as properly.

The one diesel powertrain presently out there is discovered within the Navara, which is obtainable with a pair of two.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines. The bottom mannequin has a single-turbo with 120kW and 403Nm, different variants have a twin-turbo setup with 140kW and 450Nm.

The Patrol and Navara additionally supply more durable Warrior variants, that are modified by Australian firm Premcar for the Australian market solely.

There’s a new Patrol coming that was lately revealed, and we detailed the adjustments right here.

Equally, there’s a brand new Navara on the best way for Australia in 2026, which is probably set to tackle plug-in hybrid variations of the Ford Ranger and the hybrid BYD Shark through the use of Mitsubishi tech.

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How fashionable is Nissan in Australia?

Nissan delivered 39,376 items in 2023, rating it twelfth on the Australian VFACTS gross sales charts.

It ranks behind the likes of Isuzu (45,341), Mitsubishi (63,511), Subaru (46,116), and Volkswagen (43,821), whereas additionally properly behind Mazda and Toyota which delivered greater than 100,000 and 200,000 items in 2023 respectively.

Nissan’s highest-selling mannequin is the X-Path, of which 12,861 items had been delivered. It’s adopted by the Navara, Patrol, and Qashqai, all of which ranked within the 5000- to 10,000-unit bracket.

Its lowest-selling SUV is presently the Juke, which had 1256 items delivered in 2023. The Z, as a costlier two-seat efficiency automotive, offered 449 items.

Nissan’s Pathfinder, considered one of its largest vehicles, solely had 1401 deliveries in 2023, properly behind the Patrol.

Right here’s a breakdown of how Nissan ranked on gross sales in 2023:

Nissan has thus far delivered 31,593 items in 2024, up 32.1 per cent on the identical time final 12 months. In August the model delivered 3376 items; a 20.2 per cent lower on August 2023.

Compared, Mitsubishi has loved sturdy gross sales thus far this 12 months and has shifted 50,868 items as of the top of August. Its numbers are up on the identical time final 12 months, although the identical can’t be mentioned for Mazda.

Whereas it’s nonetheless properly away from Nissan’s figures, Mazda has thus far delivered 65,286 items in a 2.8 per cent lower on the identical time final 12 months. Its month-to-month determine for August can be down 2.3 per cent, although it nonetheless ranks extremely on the VFACTS charts.

None are matching Toyota although, because the model has delivered 165,496 items to the top of August this 12 months. That’s up 23.7 per cent on the identical time final 12 months, although its August month-to-month determine is down by 3.7 per cent.

Nissan admitted in 2023 an Australian market share “beneath 4 [per cent]” is just not the place it wished to be.

It outlined a purpose to seize a six per cent share of the market, however as of August 2024 it sits at 3.8 per cent.

Manufacturers with a share better than six per cent embrace Mitsubishi, Kia, Mazda, Ford, and Toyota, the latter of which holds a 19.2 per cent share.

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What’s subsequent for Nissan?

Nissan isn’t one of many manufacturers planning an EV onslaught in Australia, however there are just a few fashions anticipated to make their method right here in early 2026.

The model has beforehand confirmed a one-tonne pickup will arrive right here by fiscal 12 months 2026, which ends on March 31, 2026. It’s additionally been confirmed the following Navara shall be in-built collaboration with Mitsubishi, and shall be out there with electrical or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) energy abroad.

Nissan will produce the next-gen mannequin in Mexico, and supply it with PHEV energy in North America. That might make the Navara a world ute, as the present D23 mannequin isn’t provided in North America.

The Y63 Patrol was additionally unveiled within the Center East earlier this month. It’s aimed squarely on the Toyota LandCruiser, and is anticipated to be out there to order in Australia in late 2026 forward of deliveries in 2027.

Variations from the present Patrol are headlined by the removing of a V8 rather than a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6.

When it confirmed its new one-tonne ute, Nissan additionally mentioned a brand new “C crossover EV” can be becoming a member of the lineup in early 2026.

It’s unclear whether or not that automotive can be the Ariya EV SUV or an electrical successor to the Qashqai, as each are known as C-segment crossovers abroad.

The Ariya was revealed in manufacturing guise in 2020. Whereas it’s been confirmed for Australia, it’s unclear when it’ll arrive.

It’s provided abroad with a alternative of 63kWh and 87kWh batteries and single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive, whereas a warmer Nismo model was revealed earlier this 12 months.

Nissan can be persevering with work on its “Nissan Clever Mobility” program, which contains clever driver help tech that shall be rolled out in its latest fashions.

Driver help tech in this system contains further-developed variations of emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, shifting object detection forward and behind a automobile, and clever cruise management.

It additionally contains an “Clever Energy” facet, which is utilised in Nissan’s EVs to spice up “driving pleasure via energy that can be clear and environment friendly”. It covers techniques together with one-pedal driving, as seen within the e-Pedal operate on the present Leaf.

Nissan’s e-Energy hybrid system additionally falls beneath the clever mobility umbrella.

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