Datsun

Datsun is a Japanese automotive brand founded in 1931 by Masujiro Matsuda, which became one of the major figures in Asian automotive industry during the twentieth century. Datsun's history truly begins after World War II, when Datsun manufacturer relaunched production and conquered global markets with reliable and affordable vehicles, notably the famous Datsun 240Z launched in 1969, which revolutionized the affordable sports car segment and directly competed with British and American models. The Datsun range progressively enriched with sedans, coupes, utilities and commercial vehicles, covering multiple automotive market segments between 1957 and 1980, the brand's heyday in Europe and North America, before its integration into Nissan of which it became a subsidiary. Beyond iconic models like the Bluebird, Sunny or Cherry, Datsun models distinguished themselves through robust engineering and competitive value-for-money ratio against Toyota and Honda, two direct sector rivals. Although the brand progressively disappeared from the Western market in the 1980s, Nissan revived the Datsun name from 2013 for emerging markets in South Asia and Africa, with a new commercial strategy focused on entry-level vehicles, while collectors and enthusiasts continue to seek Datsun specification sheets from vintage generations for restoration and heritage value.