Datsun Again!

[H4LIGHTS]

From Autoasia:

http://www.auto-asia.com/viewcontentprem.asp?page=viewprem&pk=7780

Nissan president Carlos Ghosn says he wants to revive the Datsun brand.

Giving a speech in Tokyo on December 3, Ghosn called Datsun a symbol of Nissan's history and expressed a desire to bring it back.

He did not specify what types or grades of vehicle the Datsun name would be applied to but left his audience in no doubt that the idea would be followed through.

Datsun was the company’s leading brand until 1981, when its changed the brand name to the company name, Nissan. Today, the Datsun is only used on one pickup model sold outside Japan.

John Harris VP

GroupZ Sports Car Club Inc.

http://www.groupz.com

vp@groupz.com

[Alansz]

I can definately see the datsun mark being the performance arm of nissan, like hsv is to holden etc...

[24OZ]

Could this work against us?? Imagine if the Datsun name was brought out to become synonymous with a cheap no frills car.

[Ivan]

Originally posted by Alansz

I can definately see the datsun mark being the performance arm of nissan, like hsv is to holden etc...

I second that but maybe towards the luxury arm as well, like Lexus.

[Bambikiller240]

Ivan wrote:

........maybe towards the luxury arm as well, like Lexus.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on THAT to happen. My belief is that they'd create a NEW name (like LEXUS) if they wanted a Luxo image brand

just my $.02

[1GENZED]

Nissan already has a luxury brand in North America!

Infiniti

If Nissan wanted to make a global luxury arm, it would make more sense to use an already established luxury brand.

I would also like to see Datsun used as a performance division.

[Bambikiller240]

1GENZED wrote:

Nissan already has a luxury brand in North America! Infiniti

I agree, an established brand would be more logical. My point was more that "Datsun" was never (in the US) perceived as a QUALITY, HIGH END product, and it would take a lot of effort to alter / establish that perception. Probably more effort than creating a new luxo brand like Toyota did with Lexus, and like Nissan did with Infiniti. Otherwise, they'd have considered this instead of creating Infiniti in the first place.

Using DATSUN as a performance division makes good sense (IMHO) when you consider their past success in off-road, sport cars, prototype racing (GTP, etc).

[beandip]

One more thing that was mentioned ealier here , If DATSUN was in his terms an important name in the Company like was said , I doubt that they would use it on a cheep line of cars . Maby what he had in mind was to bring back the Z as a Datsun 350-Z ,, what do you think of that. All this is guessing but what else can we do. I think it would be great for all of us Z drivers .