The beginning
Historically, the LCV business was essential to Nissan when the company first became established. In 1914, the Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works (Kaishin Jidōsha Kōjō), in Azabu-Hiroo District in Tokyo, built the first DAT. The new car's name was an acronym of the first letter of the company's partners' family names: They included
- Kenjiro Den (Den Kenjirō)
- Rokuro Aoyama (Aoyama Rokurō)
- Meitaro Takeuchi (Takeuchi Meitarō)
At the time, the bulk of DAT Motors output was comprised of trucks, as there was almost no consumer demand for cars. Beginning in 1918, the first DAT trucks were produced for the military market. When the demand from the military dwindled in the 1920s, DAT was forced to merge with Japan's second most successful truck maker, Jitsuyo Motors in 1926. The merger led to the formation of DAT Automobile Manufacturing Co.
The emergence of the Nissan name
In 1931, DAT presented a new and smaller car. This was to be the first "Datson", meaning the "Son of DAT". Later in 1933, after Nissan took control of DAT Motors, the name was changed to "Datsun". In 1932, when the first-generation model LCV was launched, vehicles that combined a Type 10/11 chassis with a van body were on the roads.
The Nissan name was first used in 1933 as an abbreviation on the Tokyo stock market for Nippon Sangyo a company that was founded in 1928 by Yoshisuke Aikawa.
In June 1934, the Company name was changed to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, and in May 1935 the corporate logo was chosen.
The very first Nissan vehicle that rolled out of the assembly line in February 1935 was the Datsun 10T, a light commercial vehicle (LCV). \
An era of changing customers needs
Preferences and customer requirements continued to change during and after the War. Thus, before World War II, models up to 17T were produced. Shortly after, the Datsun Truck was revived as the 1121. Nissan would eventually grow to include 74 firms, and become the fourth-largest combine in Japan during World War II. During this period, Nissan built trucks, airplanes, and engines for the Japanese military. In 1965 the Datsun Light Van 1200Delux (V320) would hit the roads, followed by the Cablight (1150) one year later. The Caravan DX (E20) model premiered in 1973. It was later replaced by Datsun C20 in the 70s. The Nissan Clipper (C340) was introduced in 1976. Ten years later, the Datsun Truck (D21) entered the pick up market. In 1989 the S-Cargo (G20) model made its appearance as part of the "pike" series of retro-styled vehicles.
These vehicles benefited from extremely innovative product design. For instance, the Caravan is known for its comfort, functionality, economy and outstanding payload capacity. The new generation model has been developed around the product concept of a "one box business partner that brings 'profits' to owners while allowing drivers to enjoy exceptional 'ease of use' with complete 'peace of mind".
Clipper, a small truck, is another popular LCV model marketed by Nissan since 1958. True to its name, which invokes the speed and grace of a swiftly moving horse, the model became extremely popular and was later re launched in 2003 with additional features.
Recent history
In 1999 Nissan entered an alliance with Renault SA of France. Signed on March 27, 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is the first of its kind involving a Japanese and a French car manufacturer, each with its own distinct corporate culture and brand identity. The same year, Renault appointed its own Chief Operating Officer, Carlos Ghosn, as Chief Operating Officer of Nissan and took a 22.5% stake in Nissan Diesel. Nissan and Renault continuously seek synergies in all fields, including the LCV business.
Present
In early 2011/ late 2010, Nissan finally entered into the commercial vehicle market in North America, by launching the 2011 Nissan NV (Nissan Van). The Nissan NV will be available in three models, NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD, and in two roof configurations - Standard Roof and High Roof. The NV is the first High Roof commercial van to offer rugged body-on-frame construction. For more information about the Nissan NV series visit http://ncv.nissan.ca/en/#/overview
