Nissan Celebrates 50 Years Of Design
Published: 20th August 2004
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Nissan is celebrating 50 years of design
and is showcasing in Tokyo the historical achievements of its design
department over the past 50 years, as well as its future design vision.
Nissan has established itself as the creator of a bold, extensive model range reaching the four cornerstones of the world’s customers with its range of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, sports cars plus a full line of 4x4s.
From the Datsun roadsters, compact pickups and the 510, to the Z, Patrol and the powerful Skyline GT-R, for over five decades Nissan has made a lasting contribution to the advancement of automotive design. During this time, Nissan has propelled its image to new heights by bringing innovation to reality with a number of vehicles, making Nissan one of the world’s top automakers.
Design Heritage
- Nissan’s design department was established in February 1954 from Nissan’s car modelling division and began designing passenger cars such as the Bluebird 310 and Fairlady 1500.
- After expanding its premises to every continent, the Fairlady 2000 in 1967 marked the birth of Nissan’s sporty image, leading to the creation of the Fairlady Z two years later which went on to be the best-selling sports car in the world.
- 1970s - the 240Z earned popularity as a legend of international safari rallies and was followed by the Cherry and Sunny.
- The year 1979 saw the first design studio to open outside of Japan in San Diego, California, producing concept vehicles and the 1986 Terrano.
- 1990s – the launch of the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Primera then Micra continued to consolidate Nissan’s presence in Europe.
- Nissan opened its first European design centre in Munich in 1992.
