Nissan to Revive Datsun

[a6m5]

Datsun brand would've been really cool in the States. As someone mentioned, I also think it would have worked out as a rival name to Scion. Affordable cars aimed at young buyers. At least that's how Toyota started them out.

 

[niky]

Scion's first cars were all Daihatsus. And Daihatsu is to Toyota as Datsun will be to Nissan. The cheaper brand for those who want something Toyota-ish but cheap.

Then Toyota saw who they were actually selling Scions to and wised up. Which is why the xB went from an Echo-based funk-utility-vehicle to a bloated RAV4 in boxer shorts.

 

[RocZX]

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced today the Datsun brand will return with sales starting in emerging markets suchas India,Indonesia,and Russia from 2014. The new Datsun logo was also revealed.

The new plan represents an investment of 33 billion Japanese yen in expanding its production at Nissan's Cikampek plant, located 80 kilometers outside of Jakarta. Total capacity will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300, and sales outlets are planned to increase to 150 by 2015.

"Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia," said Ghosn at a media event. "We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here."

http://www.worldcarfans.com/112032042575/nissan-resurrects-datsun-brand-for-emerging-markets

 

[AMCNUT]

The concept of a brand new Datsun brand is going to be tough for Nissan to carry off if Nissan keeps branding Versas and the like as Nissans. It would be best for them to ditch the underwhelming small cars to the new brand, and refocus Nissan on mide-size sporting vehicles and SUVs. I'm not so sure emerging markets will be fooled into seeing this from Nissan's point of view...

But I could be wrong.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I like the logo.

 

[Tornado]

What I'm wondering about is how Datsun will compare to Dacia. Aren't those three the main markets that Renault sells those in?

 

[JJ72]

I like the logo.

yes it looks properly last gen and third world, perfect!

 

[homeforsummer]

What I'm wondering about is how Datsun will compare to Dacia. Aren't those three the main markets that Renault sells those in?

I think Dacia is largely European, to Eastern-European. You see plenty of them in France but in places like Romania, where the company was originally from, you can't move for the things.

Though I'm glad you've brought up Dacia, as it's a vastly better analogy for what Nissan is doing with Datsun than the Toyota/Scion comparison.

Scion and Datsun would have both been created to make cheaper cars.

Scions are less expensive than Toyotas, but they aren't bargain-basement for developing markets. They're Toyotas for Generation Y drivers. As above, Dacia is a much better example. Take proven, not necessarily cutting-edge technology, and sell it very cheaply.

Most - if not all - current Dacias are based on basically the same platform - one that can trace its roots back to the 2nd-generation Renault Clio of 1998.

Renault has fantastic economies of scale on that platform, because it was making Clios on it for a decade or so, makes the Twingo now on that platform, based the Dacia Logan on it, extended it a bit and put the Sandero and Duster on it... etc. The Duster crossover, if sold in the UK, would be a good £5k or more cheaper than any other small crossover on the market. In fact, it'd be cheaper than many B-segment cars.

I expect Nissan (given its relationship with Renault) will do very similar with Datsun - take a proven platform like the Micra or Versa, and build all sorts of different vehicles on it. Just a hunch, but they may even re-badge some Dacias.

 

[squirlybmx]

Now if only the could have a toned down 370z sitting in showrooms my may 30th. Then I'd be a happy boy

 

[Crushed]

Yayyyy i actually like those old 240z's

 

[Anathema]

Gah. That logo...

Although I am glad to see Nissan reviving Datsun, I'm hoping they do it the right way, and don't screw things up (how I feel Toyota did with the Scion brand...)

 

[RocZX]

"The vehicles will occupy different segments and markets for Nissan," a senior Nissan source told Edmunds on Tuesday. "(They will be) bringing a different set of attributes at different price points."

In Russia alone, it's estimated Datsun could contribute up to a third of Nissan's total sales.

Two cars will launch in 2014 and while a base sticker of $3,000 has been widely quoted, don't read too much into that, said the Nissan source, inferring that that was a general aim rather than a definitive, cast-in-stone sticker.

Insideline

 

[Dijital Majik]

Though not necessarily Datsun news, it seems the 2014 Z is going back to it's 240Z roots. However if the "different set of attributes at different price points" turns out to be true, who knows, it could be badged a Datsun in some markets.

 

[RocZX]

Teaser of the new Datsun

 

[Danny]

Something cheaper than the Pixo?

Are they planning to pay people to take these?

 

[sumbrownkid]

My dad had a Datsun in Saudi Arabia.

 

[a6m5]

I actually like that design, Danny. And brown kid, I thought you were Mexican, but come to think of it, I think I do remember reading "Saudi Arabia" from your location or profile or something before. My bad. "Datsun" name was around in Japan for while as well. As recent as in the 90's, I think they were using that name for their pick up truck lines.

Gah. That logo...

I'd just have used the letters. D A T S U N It would have given the cars a cool retro, throwback look to them.

(how I feel Toyota did with the Scion brand...)

Couldn't agree more. It started out with some promise, and today, other than Toyota reputation for quality, I don't think they have much else going for them. That FR-S is nice, but that car doesn't stand for what made Scion division successful at launch.

 

[GT'S BiG FaN]

My dad had a Datsun in Saudi Arabia.

The Datsun pick-up? I love that thing, fun to drive.