The Return of Datsun!

[AZhitman]

in the mid-80's, Nissan Motors phased out the Datsun brand to strengthen its own company name. For nearly 10 years after, "Datsun" still held more brand recognition with the American public than "Nissan".

Nissan has just announced plans to revive the Datsun brand, according to the Japanese business daily Nikkei.

The newspaper reports that Nissan wants to use the Datsun brand on a line of inexpensive vehicles specifically manufactured for emerging markets starting in 2014. Datsun's new range of vehicles will be priced around 500,000 yen ($6,200 USD).

For now, Datsun will be manufactured and sold in India, Indonesia and Russia. Nissan expects annual sales of around 300,000 units.

Thoughts?

[asoomal]

[danshaz82]

[alms24sebring]

^ thats should be published lol

Eh, not feeling the return of Datsun. Its been dead for too long. But why only those 3 countries? We need cheap cars here too.

[Razi]

So a brand that gave birth to legendary cars is being revived for tincans.
Meh.

[Death Driver]

YES!!! This topic reeks of awesome!

[StatixNWH]

I only have one thing to say

http://dodgson.ytmnd.com/

[LoserCard]

^^^HAHAHAHAHA... I just listened to that 1.5 times... Anyways, it kind of sucks that Datsun is being brought back as a strictly econo line.

[themadscientist]

Bring back the Sunny truck and Mad will buy.

[ponchs13]

Cheap cars suck, me want 510

[Bubba1]

So a brand that gave birth to legendary cars is being revived for tincans.
Meh.

They made a few tin cans back in the day too. Remember the B210 hatchback or 310?

I don;t have an issue with it, none of those vehicles will make it to our shores.

[Jesda]

The legendary Datsun name will now be applied to cars that are a step above rickshaws.

[Jesda]

[Heavy]

^ lol that is now the wallpaper on my phone

Dosent sound bad, i wish they would do that here and have some fun cheap cars to buy kind of like toyota is trying to do with scion now. then again what am i saying, thats a horrible idea

[jltibbs]

I think it's a great idea. Let's look at a similar idea here in the US.

2000 Kia Rio
$5,900-$7,080


2012 Kia Rio
Starting at $13,400


I think they'll eventually make it here, and it will breed pure awesomeness, that will only be enhanced when you add awesomesauce.

[Curtieson]

Eh, not feeling the return of Datsun. Its been dead for too long. But why only those 3 countries? We need cheap cars here too.

Cars THAT cheap would never pass the current crash testing laws...could never happen with the R&D that has to go into them. Also, America is pushing the way of the super long warranty, even though we have accepted disposable electronics (TVs, Phones...) we have not accepted cheap, disposable automobiles.

[AZhitman]

Cheap cars suck, me want 510

Um, the 510 was a "cheap car". That was the appeal. All the features of more expensive cars for under $2,000.

[tiger-SE-R]

If the Smart car can pass safety and crash tests, I'm sure a inexpensive Datsun could find a way as well.

[Razi]

I don't think they'll make anything as neat as the 510 though.

[AZhitman]

I think it's a great idea. Let's look at a similar idea here in the US.

2000 Kia Rio
$5,900-$7,080


2012 Kia Rio
Starting at $13,400


I think they'll eventually make it here, and it will breed pure awesomeness, that will only be enhanced when you add awesomesauce.

EXACTLY.

I'd drive a '12 Rio... not a bad car at all. What else can I get for $13K? A Versa?

People have to comprehend the history of Japanese cars in America (specifically Datsun)... when they arrived in the early 60's, there weren't enough of them to matter... as the decade drew to a close, an American buyer STILL had to have some pretty big balls to buy one, risking ridicule and outright hostility. The 70's brought the Z, and opened people's eyes to the durability and performance of the brand, and the rest is history.

Kia / Hyundai went through the SAME thing in the 80's. I wouldn't give you a dollar for an '85 Excel back in the day... but I'd LOVE to own a new Optima Hybrid.

History simply repeating itself.

Let's keep an eye on this story and see what happens - I'll post more info as it comes available.

[Jesda]

The Smart car isn't cheap (most would call it way overpriced). Despite being diminutive, they're somewhat safe considering everything. You're much more likely to survive a crash in one than a 1990 Miata or a motorcycle, though that's not exactly a high standard of comparison.

http://jalopnik.com/390199/2008-smart-f ... e-did-good

[bundy26]

Remember my father had an 84 sentra , had the datsun badge up front and nissan on the trunk, talk about identity crisis.

[300ZXttZMAN]

OMG this awsome!!!

I wonder what the vehicles are going to look like??

[Rev_D21]

I think it's great and adheres to the core principles of the original Datsun. Inexpensive entry level cars in a new market. We were a new market for Japan at the time Datsun debuted here so I find it fitting to use the name in the same sense for new markets now. I'll be disappointed if all the new Datsuns reek of French design though, I have enough of that garbage to last me a lifetime.

[Razi]

Om nom nom
Listen to it blast around at 2:57
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy03MqqZGeY[/youtube]

And a link from Jay:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNCwCq08mCA[/youtube]

[MellowZ32]

give me $9,000 rwd Datsun and i'll be a happy bear

shazam, you're one funny ladyboy!

[AZhitman]

I think it's great and adheres to the core principles of the original Datsun. Inexpensive entry level cars in a new market. We were a new market for Japan at the time Datsun debuted here so I find it fitting to use the name in the same sense for new markets now.

Exactly.

[Razi]

shazam, you're one funny ladyboy!

[danshaz82]

shazam, you're one funny ladyboy!

[MellowZ32]

no, you!