Datsun rises from the grave after 30 years

[Ford_The_Win]

After a 30 year absence, Nissan has revived the Datsun brand, in the form of a budget bubble car for the developing world. I'd buy one for 6 grand!

NISSAN has launched a new Datsun in India, three decades after shelving the brand that helped win Western acceptance of Japanese autos.

The company hopes that bringing back the brand that built its US business will fuel growth in emerging markets with a new generation of car buyers.

The reimagined Datsun - a five-seat hatchback - will go on sale in India next year for under 400,000 rupees (about $6,670). It will also be sold in Indonesia and Russia, with the company saying its offerings will be tailored to each market in terms of price and size.

In India, the English-language promotional website for the car describes it as the "badge of the risers," an appeal to aspirational first-time auto buyers.

"The drivetrain is designed specifically to suit the local environment, eliminating any stress or complexity for the risers to go forth," the website says.

Nissan Motor Co. is hoping the comeback of one of its defining brands will herald the same rapid expansion that the Datsun provided when it hit American showrooms more than 50 years ago.

The Datsun was discontinued globally starting in 1981 to unify the model lineup under the Nissan brand. Nissan also makes Infiniti luxury models.

Faced with stagnating sales in established markets such as Japan and Europe, most global automakers have their eyes on fast-growing developing countries that also include China, Mexico and Brazil.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said on Monday at the launch in New Delhi that first-time car buyers in places like India want the best car they can get at a price within their reach.

"We are responding to that with the return of Datsun," Mr Ghosn said.

India's population of 1.2 billion is a lure for automakers hoping to ring up big sales numbers, albeit with cheaper prices and lower profit margins.

But the Datsun enters the Indian market at a tough time. Sales of passenger cars fell by 10 per cent in the April-June quarter from the previous year, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Indian consumer spending has been hit by an economic slowdown and high interest rates that make car loans less affordable.

Plus, it's unclear whether the Datsun brand - which still retains wide name recognition in Western markets - will translate to emerging markets' younger consumers. Nissan officials have acknowledged that downside but said the brand still stands for good styling, durability and safety.

Ghosn said in 2012 that the Datsun name is part of Nissan's heritage and retains recognition, even in new markets.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/comp...#ixzz2Z7pNYsKo

[Kevxr8Leexr6]

ha ha well I don't think you will see this datto rippin up at rallys and motorkanas some how.

[EgoFG]

I though they were racing these in the v8supercars

[Stealth00]

If they create a new version of the 260z and price it similar to the 86 then I would be interested.

Not so keen on 120y or 180b's

[Yellow_Festiva]

My first car was a 180b. Would buy another if the specs were good and cost was not too high.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Stealth00

If they create a new version of the 260z and price it similar to the 86 then I would be interested.

Not so keen on 120y or 180b's

The new version of the 260Z is called a 370Z. It costs about the same as a FG2 GT.

260Z was a high performance 6 cylinder sports car that sold for about $12,000 in 1978.

A "Bathurst" Cobra, the 351 with all the go fast bits was about $10k at the same time.

[Matty4]

My first car was a 200B SX (with the reflective stripes along the sides and across the boot).
Rebuilt the L20B, Weber carb, 240K struts, brakes and 5 speed etc etc....

It was called Sx appeal.......golden times.......lol

[blackf6]

I will order a new datto 120y with an sr20det thanks.

[Danny]

It'd be awesome to see a little Datto at a budget price here, similar to the 86GT but using the 1.6T shared engine from the Juke and the new Clio RenaultSport.

This Indian one would just be a Dacia rebadged. Another Datsun "Sharon" car. :

Hmmm yeah. I'd love a Datto revival here, I just like saying Datto.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Matty4

My first car was a 200B SX (with the reflective stripes along the sides and across the boot).
Rebuilt the L20B, Weber carb, 240K struts, brakes and 5 speed etc etc....

It was called Sx appeal.......golden times.......lol

HA, my parents had one brand new, white.
I barely remember it but they had issues with it so on sold it. I'd never seen another one after that.

[Vincenzo]

I thought the whole reason "Nissan" (nis-sarn) sold Datsuns to the world was because they didn't believe the white man could correctly pronounce "Nissan".

As for the 120Y - back in my early days of rallying in Canberra (1970's) there was a guy who was the spanner man for either Greg Carr or some Ol' farmer called George Fury who built himself one mighty fine 120Y sedan. All I remember was it was white and sounded like a BDA Escort.


Cheers Vincenzo (Datsun 1200 Ute lover)

[Bossxr8]

We will never see them here, they are for developing countries only. They will just be cheap run abouts. No chance of any Z models.

[Keepleft]

Ahh the Datsun 120Y in baby poop yellow, bliss.

Memories.... of them blocking - everything...

[Nikked]

One of the most common old Japanese car's I see on the road are datto's...


Although I doubt that these new ones will be the same...

[BadMax]

Ah the old Datto. I had 2 1600's, one was a South African import SSS, 1200 coupe and a Stanza.

[rjk74]

The missus had a blue 4sp 120y when we first started going out, she got it up to 140kph from Bendigo to Mt Camel, scariest trip of my life.

[flooded one]

I like the 120Y's they weren't fast but gee they could take a hiding!!! with a top speed of 145km/h!!

[rjk74]

Originally Posted by rjk74

The missus had a blue 4sp 120y when we first started going out, she got it up to 140kph from Bendigo to Mt Camel, scariest trip of my life.

Ended up buying one myself with (90ks) Tbar Auto for $1500 while l did an apprenticeship, ran on the smell of an oily rag. It was orange with a huge manga sticker on the bonnet, sold it on Trading post 4years later for a grand.

[RobVee]

1978 200b coupe with the five speed manual. my first car. good memories of the datto

[Vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Vincenzo

As for the 120Y - back in my early days of rallying in Canberra (1970's) there was a guy who was the spanner man for either Greg Carr or some Ol' farmer called George Fury who built himself one mighty fine 120Y sedan. All I remember was it was white and sounded like a BDA Escort.

A quick video of what a well sorted 120Y can do in the hands of a master.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc3HLWkqyWs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRxYzyg2lBQ


Cheers Vincenzo

[blackf6]

As a child Mum owned datto's from when I was 5- 15 years old. Lots of fond memories. Rear wheel drive. 2 of my aunt's had 120y's and my mates mum. Learnt to drive in them. Would love to buy one now.

[KIWI-1]

1200 SSS with twin 40mm Dellorto carbies. 90bhp. 0-100 <12s.

[barra240t]

I'd say this would hurt Nissan if Datsun returned?

[Vesper Martini]

I recall the bumper sticker on the 120Y that belonged to my grandparents.

"THE DINOSAUR IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE DATSUN"