Nissan Motor Company
Nissan Motor Company is the Japanese car maker behind the Datsun name, the GT-R and the Leaf, one of the first mass-market electric cars. This guide covers the current Nissan lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history.
Photo: Pangalau, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nissan Motor Company at a Glance
Founded 26 December 1933 As Jidosha-Seizo; renamed Nissan in 1934
Founder Yoshisuke Aikawa Roots go back to the 1911 DAT company
Headquarters Yokohama Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Listed TSE: 7201 Tokyo Stock Exchange
Sales, year to March 2026 3.15 million Global sales of Nissan and Infiniti
Leadership Ivan Espinosa President and CEO since April 2025
Nissan Motor Company Model Lineup
Nissan Motor Company sells a different range in each region, so the list below shows its core models in 2026, grouped by type. In North America, the Sentra, Kicks, Murano and Armada are all new since 2025, while the Versa sedan and the Ariya electric SUV have been dropped there. Meanwhile, the GT-R ended production in August 2025, and a Rogue with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system is due for 2027.
Cars (3)
Compact sedan
Nissan Sentra
Gas Sedan
The Sentra was all new for 2025, with a bigger, more upmarket look. It is also Nissan’s best-selling car in the US, with 152,578 sold in 2025.
Mid-size sedan
Nissan Altima
Gas Sedan AWD option
The Altima is Nissan’s mid-size family sedan, and unlike most rivals it can be ordered with all-wheel drive. It sold 93,268 in the US in 2025.
Sports car
Nissan Z
Gas Twin-turbo V6 Manual option
The current Z arrived for 2023 with a twin-turbo V6, and it is still offered with a manual gearbox. It also looks back to the original 240Z in its styling.
SUVs (5)
Small SUV
Nissan Kicks
Gas AWD option
The second-generation Kicks arrived for 2025, and for the first time it offers all-wheel drive. As a result, it sold 103,575 in the US in 2025.
Compact SUV
Nissan Rogue
Gas Turbo three-cylinder
The Rogue is Nissan’s best-seller in the US, with 217,896 sold in 2025. It is sold as the X-Trail in other markets, and an e-Power hybrid version is due for 2027.
Mid-size SUV
Nissan Murano
Gas Turbo Two rows
The fourth-generation Murano arrived for 2025 with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of the old V6. It is also Nissan’s most upscale two-row SUV in North America.
Three-row SUV
Nissan Pathfinder
Gas V6 8 seats
The Pathfinder is Nissan’s three-row family SUV, and the current generation launched for 2022. It sold 101,598 in the US in 2025.
Full-size SUV
Nissan Armada
Gas Twin-turbo V6 4×4
The third-generation Armada arrived for 2025, and it is closely related to the new Patrol. It also swapped its old V8 for a twin-turbo V6.
Pickup (1)
Mid-size pickup
Nissan Frontier
Gas V6 Pickup
The Frontier is built in Canton, Mississippi, and the current generation arrived for 2022 with a V6 engine. It sold 65,232 in the US in 2025.
Electric (2)
Electric crossover
Nissan Leaf
Electric Global
The third-generation Leaf arrived for 2026 as a small crossover instead of a hatchback. It is built in Japan and Britain, and it offers up to 303 miles of range (EPA).
Small electric car
Nissan Micra
Electric Europe
The latest Micra is an electric city car for Europe. Because it is built with Renault, it shares its platform with the Renault 5.
Outside North America (3)
Compact SUV
Nissan Qashqai
Mild hybrid e-Power Europe
The Qashqai helped create the compact crossover class in Europe in 2006, and it is built in Sunderland, England. In 2025 it also gained the third-generation e-Power hybrid.
Mid-size SUV
Nissan X-Trail
e-Power e-4ORCE Global
The X-Trail is the global twin of the US Rogue. In Europe and Japan it is also offered with e-Power, in which the gas engine only charges the battery.
Full-size 4×4
Nissan Patrol
Gas Twin-turbo V6 4×4
The Patrol is Nissan’s long-running off-roader, especially popular in the Middle East and Australia. The seventh generation arrived in 2024 with a twin-turbo V6.
What Is Nissan Motor Company?
Nissan Motor Company is a Japanese car maker headquartered in Yokohama. Its roots go back to 1911, when Masujiro Hashimoto founded the Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works in Tokyo, whose DAT cars were named after its three backers. Later, industrialist Yoshisuke Aikawa founded Jidosha-Seizo on 26 December 1933, and the company became Nissan Motor Co. in 1934.
For decades Nissan sold its cars abroad as Datsuns, especially the 510 and the 240Z, which made the brand popular in America. In 1966 it also merged with Prince Motor, which brought in the Skyline. Then, in 1999, heavy debts led Nissan into an alliance with Renault, which later added Mitsubishi Motors.
Today Nissan Motor Company sells cars under the Nissan and Infiniti names, and it sold 3.15 million vehicles in the year to March 2026. However, it has also made large losses, so under CEO Ivan Espinosa it is cutting its factories from 17 to 10 in a plan called Re:Nissan. Meanwhile, merger talks with Honda ended in February 2025.
Nissan Motor Company History
Nissan Motor Company grew from a small Tokyo workshop into one of the world’s largest car makers, and it has weathered several crises along the way.
- 1911 Masujiro Hashimoto founds the Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, which later builds the DAT car.
- 1931 The small Datsun Type 11 appears, so the Datsun name is born.
- 1933 Yoshisuke Aikawa founds Jidosha-Seizo on 26 December, and it becomes Nissan Motor Co. in 1934.
- 1958 Nissan then begins selling Datsun cars in the United States.
- 1966 Nissan merges with Prince Motor, which brings the Skyline into the family.
- 1969 The first Skyline GT-R and the Fairlady Z, sold abroad as the 240Z, both arrive.
- 1983 Nissan starts building cars in Smyrna, Tennessee, its first US car plant.
- 1986 Production begins in Sunderland, England, which later becomes Britain’s biggest car factory.
- 1989 Nissan launches its Infiniti luxury brand in North America, while the R32 Skyline GT-R arrives.
- 1999 After years of losses, Nissan forms an alliance with Renault.
- 2007 The GT-R becomes a separate model from the Skyline.
- 2010 The Leaf goes on sale as one of the first mass-market electric cars.
- 2016 Nissan buys 34% of Mitsubishi Motors, so the alliance grows to three companies.
- 2018 Chairman Carlos Ghosn is arrested in Japan, which starts a long crisis.
- 2025 Honda merger talks end in February, Ivan Espinosa becomes CEO in April and the last R35 GT-R is built in August.
- 2026 Nissan reports a large net loss for the year to March 2026, although it returns to a small operating profit.
Iconic Nissan Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Nissan Motor Company, from the Datsuns that won over America to the first mass-market electric car.
1968–1973
Datsun 510
Sedan Giant killer
The 510 (Bluebird in Japan) gave American buyers a small sedan with independent rear suspension, so it drove better than most rivals. It also became a winner in club racing.
1969–1973
Datsun 240Z
Sports car Straight-six
The 240Z offered sleek styling and a six-cylinder engine for far less than European sports cars. As a result, it became one of the best-selling sports cars of its time.
1969–1972
Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R
First GT-R Racing sedan
The first GT-R, nicknamed “Hakosuka” (boxy Skyline) in Japan, was built to win touring car races. It then won dozens of races in Japan, especially in the early 1970s.
1989–1994
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)
All-wheel drive Twin turbo
The R32 GT-R brought back the name with all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo straight-six. When it dominated Australian racing, local magazine Wheels nicknamed it “Godzilla”.
2007–2025
Nissan GT-R (R35)
Twin-turbo V6 Supercar rival
The R35 GT-R matched much more expensive supercars for speed, and it was built for 18 years. About 48,000 were made before production ended in August 2025.
2010–2017
Nissan Leaf (first generation)
Electric Pioneer
When it launched in December 2010, the first Leaf was one of the first electric cars built in large numbers for ordinary buyers. It was then built in Japan, the US and Britain.
Who Owns Nissan Motor Company?
Nissan Motor Company is a public company listed in Tokyo. Renault Group is its largest shareholder, while Nissan in turn owns a stake in Renault and about 24% of Mitsubishi Motors. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Largest shareholder Renault Group About 36% of Nissan in mid-2025, of which about 19% is held in a French trust
This page Nissan Motor Company Yokohama, Japan · Nissan, Infiniti and Nismo
100% Infiniti Luxury brand, launched in 1989
100% Nismo Performance and racing arm
About 24% Mitsubishi Motors Alliance partner since 2016
50% Dongfeng Nissan Joint venture that builds Nissans in China
Alliance partners
Nissan also shares platforms, engines and factories with its alliance partners, although the ties have loosened since 2023.
- Renault (cross-shareholding; Micra EV built with Renault)
- Mitsubishi Motors (Rogue plug-in hybrid based on the Outlander)
- Dongfeng (joint venture in China)
In addition, Renault and Nissan agreed in 2025 to lower the minimum stake each must hold in the other from 15% to 10%, as well as ending Nissan’s duty to invest in Renault’s electric car unit.
Former brands and ventures
- Datsun (1931–1986, 2013–2022) Nissan’s export name until the 1980s, and then a budget brand for emerging markets until 2022.
- Prince Motor (merged 1966) The maker of the Skyline and Gloria, which joined Nissan in 1966.
- Renault Nissan India plant (until 2025) Nissan sold its majority stake in the Chennai factory to Renault in 2025.
- Honda merger talks (December 2024 – February 2025) Nissan and Honda discussed a merger, but the talks ended within two months.
Nissan Motor Company Accomplishments
The record of Nissan Motor Company rests on affordable cars, early electric cars and the GT-R, as well as on a racing program that has won in touring cars, GT racing and Formula E.
3.15 million
Vehicles sold in a year
Nissan sold 3.15 million vehicles worldwide in the year to March 2026, although it still made a large net loss.
2010
Mass-market electric car
The Leaf was one of the first electric cars built in large numbers, and it sold more than 577,000 by early 2022.
1983
Early US factory
Nissan began building vehicles in Smyrna, Tennessee, and later added a plant in Canton, Mississippi as well.
1986
Britain’s biggest car plant
The Sunderland factory has built the Micra, Qashqai and Leaf, so it has become the UK’s largest car plant.
217,896
Rogues sold in the US in 2025
The Rogue was Nissan’s best-selling vehicle in America, while the Sentra led its car sales.
48,000
R35 GT-Rs built
The R35 GT-R stayed in production for 18 years, from 2007 until August 2025.
2
Bathurst 1000 wins
The Skyline GT-R won Australia’s biggest race in 1991 and again in 1992.
5
Super GT drivers’ titles for the GT-R
The GT-R GT500 won Japan’s top GT series in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
2025
Formula E world title
Oliver Rowland won the Formula E drivers’ title for Nissan in the 2024–25 season.
Nissan Racing History
Nissan Motor Company has raced since the Datsun era, and its racing arm Nismo was founded in 1984. The GT-R won famously at Mount Panorama in Australia, while Nissan races in Super GT at tracks such as Fuji Speedway. In addition, Datsuns won the East African Safari Rally in the 1970s, and today Nissan races in Formula E.
Touring cars, 1990–1993
Skyline GT-R in Group A
2 Bathurst wins “Godzilla”
The R32 Skyline GT-R won the Bathurst 1000 in 1991 and 1992 with Jim Richards and Mark Skaife. Because it was so dominant, Australian magazine Wheels called it “Godzilla”, and the rules were then changed to rein it in.
Japanese GT racing
GT-R in Super GT
5 GT500 drivers’ titles 41 wins
When the GT-R GT500 arrived in 2008, it won seven of nine races and the title. It then took four more drivers’ titles, and it won 41 races in total, while the GT-R GT3 won three GT300 doubles as well.
Electric single-seaters
Nissan in Formula E
2024–25 champion Since 2018
Nissan joined Formula E in 2018, and it bought its partner team e.dams outright in 2022. Finally, Oliver Rowland won the drivers’ title for Nissan in the 2024–25 season, the team’s first championship.
Talk Nissan With Other Owners
Nissan owners have plenty to share, whether it is a high-mileage Rogue or a modified Z. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Nissan community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- GT-R and Z builds
- Classic Datsun restoration
- Leaf and electric ownership
- Maintenance and repairs
- CVT questions
- Off-road Frontier and Patrol
- Buying used
- Nissan meets and events
Nissan Motor Company FAQ
What does Nissan stand for?
Nissan is short for Nihon Sangyo, which means “Japan Industries”. It was the name of the holding company that Yoshisuke Aikawa built, and he used it for the car company in 1934.
Who founded Nissan Motor Company?
Yoshisuke Aikawa founded Nissan Motor Company as Jidosha-Seizo on 26 December 1933. However, its roots go back to 1911, when Masujiro Hashimoto founded the company that built the first DAT cars.
Why were Nissans called Datsun?
The DAT car was named after its three backers, so its small 1931 model became the Datson, or “son of DAT”. The name then changed to Datsun, and Nissan used it for export cars until the 1980s.
Who owns Nissan?
Nissan Motor Company is a public company listed in Tokyo. Renault Group is its largest shareholder, with about 36% of its shares in mid-2025, although about half of that stake sits in a French trust.
Did Nissan and Honda merge?
No. Nissan and Honda agreed in December 2024 to discuss a merger, but they ended the talks in February 2025, so the two companies remain separate.
Is the Nissan GT-R still made?
No. The last R35 GT-R was built in August 2025 after 18 years in production. However, CEO Ivan Espinosa has said Nissan aims to bring the GT-R name back one day.
What is Nissan’s best-selling vehicle?
In the US it is the Rogue, which sold 217,896 in 2025. The Sentra was also Nissan’s best-selling car there, with 152,578 sold.
Is Nissan in financial trouble?
Nissan Motor Company made a net loss of 533.1 billion yen in the year to March 2026, so it is closing plants and cutting costs under its Re:Nissan plan. Meanwhile, it made a small operating profit and expects a larger one in the year to March 2027.
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Photo credits
- Header image: Pangalau, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Current-generation Nissan Sentra (B18) sedan: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Nissan Altima SR sedan, front left…: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Nissan Kicks SV AWD in Deep…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Nissan Rogue SV in Gun Metallic…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Nissan Murano Platinum in Brooklyn, New…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD in Baja…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Nissan Armada Pro-4X at the 2025…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2022 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Pro-4X in…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 2023 Nissan Z at the 2022 New…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Third-generation 2026 Nissan Leaf at the Salon…: Bull-Doser, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Nissan Qashqai e-Power compact SUV: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail (T33) SUV: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Nissan Micra EV at Auto Zurich 2025: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Nissan Patrol LE Platinum (Y63) at…: ToyGTone, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Datsun 510 two-door sedan in Mexican Orange: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Early Nissan Fairlady Z (S30), sold in…: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 1970 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) coupe at Cars…: Jacob Frey 4A, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 2009 Nissan GT-R (R35) coupe: OSX, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- First-generation Nissan Leaf (ZE0) electric hatchback: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- The Skyline GT-R that Jim Richards and…: Kytabu, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Motul Autech Nissan GT-R GT500 at Fuji…: Morio, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Oliver Rowland's 2024-25 Nissan Gen3 Evo Formula…: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.