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OK, it not about the Go model, but the Datsun brand under Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance... Datsun Brand Might Bite The Dust As Part Of Nissan’s Recovery Plan Nissan might ditch the Datsun brand altogether as part of its upcoming recovery plan, which includes axing some of its unprofitable products and closing down under-utilized assembly lines worldwide. Quoting sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Reuters reports that the recovery plan marks a 180-degree turn with Nissan’s ambitious strategy under ex-CEO Carlos Ghosn, who was arrested and charged with financial misconduct. Things with Datsun, which was revived as a brand for emerging markets, didn’t exactly go as Nissan hoped after launching it in 2014 in regions like Indonesia, India, Russia and South Africa. That’s because, following a relatively good start, the budget-conscious brand started eating into Nissan’s own sales. “We ended up pushing two mainstream brands in a market where you have a one or two percent market share. You cannot do that,” one of the sources said. Shutting down under-utilized production lines will also impact Nissan’s factories in emerging markets tasked with producing Datsun models and other small cars, according to the same sources. “We need to chart a recovery but the rot goes deep,” one of them said. All markets with factories outside China are being examined for possible reductions in production capacity, but there are currently no plans to close an entire plant or withdraw completely from any country. Nissan, which is on course to post its lowest operating profit in 11 years, also plans to kill unprofitable variants of the Titan full-size pickup truck, like the single-cab and diesel models. The US remains one of Nissan’s biggest markets, but the recovery plan will demand a new effort to put a stop at the company’s practice of buying market share by selling its models to rental car and other fleet operators at heavy discounts, something that has plunged the company’s profitability and brand image. “We’re trying to clean up what had happened in the past,” one of the sources said, adding that under Ghosn, Nissan had to meet sales objectives at any cost, and that included “practically giving away cars” to fleet customers.

1971 Datsun 1200 for $25k? Wow! http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...603&DL=1000 My family used to have 2 such cars when I was a small kid. Has any folks here driven this model before?

But..... for emerging markets.. i wish they didn't use the Datsun name...

Scroll down the list. Seems like 1 new Datsun was registered last month...... M03_Car_Regn_by_make.pdf

Nissan has released a teaser image of the revived Datsun brand, showing the design cues of the front fascia. The image suggests that the first Datsuns will have a small honeycomb grille with a chrome frame. The headlights adopt an angular shape. According to Nissan, the Datsun models will have a strong independent brand identity. Late last year, a Nissan executive in Europe said that the Datsun models will share a platform with the Lada Kalina, a supermini produced by the Russian automaker AvtoVAZ and sold under the Lada brand. Lada will join the Renault-Nissan alliance with the vehicles sharing mechanical components. However, Nissan assured that Datsuns will have different exterior and interior styling. Along with the release of the teaser image, Nissan has announced that Datsun cars will be offered in South Africa, in addition to the previously planned markets of Russia, Indonesia and India. Nissan phased out the Datsun brand in March 1986. The Datsun name is most famous for the 510 (below), Fairlady roadsters and later the Fairlady (240Z) coupes.

[extract] Nissan has produced a short documentary that depicts the history of Nissan

[extract] The Datsun moniker was first used in Japan in 1931 and the decision to change the name Datsun to Nissan was announced in 1981. The rationale was that the name change would help the pursuit of a global strategy that would simplify product design, manufacturing and publicity material. No decision last forever and Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO, Carlos Ghosn, has announced the revival of the Datsun brand for emerging markets during his recent visit to Indonesia. At the same time, Ghosn also revealed Datsun

After 30 years...Datsun is Back! Datsun will be global brand: Nissan CEO Ghosn By Chester Dawson -- Nissan CEO says Datsun will be sold globally, but not in the U.S., Japan and other mature markets -- Nissan plans to launch Datsun with total of six new vehicles in three primary markets by 2014 -- Nissan targeting first-time new car buyers in markets where it is catching up with Asian rivals YOKOHAMA, Japan (MarketWatch) -- A day after announcing the return of its Datsun vehicle brand in three key emerging markets, Nissan Motor Co. said Wednesday it would expand the new line of cars globally--but not in developed markets such as the U.S. and U.K. where the brand made its mark 30 years ago. The Japanese car maker said Tuesday it plans to resurrect the brand for small, sporty, inexpensive cars to attract young, first-time buyers in the world's fastest growing markets in developing economies. The once-vaunted brand, which was phased out in the early 1980s, is scheduled to hit the roads of India, Indonesia and Russia in 2014. "Our priority for the moment is Indonesia, India and Russia, but this is a first step. Obviously, the Datsun brand will become global," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn at a press conference at company headquarters in Yokohama, following the company's initial announcement in Jakarta on Tuesday. But Ghosn added that the vehicles will not be offered in mature markets. "I don't think, frankly, today that we have a plan to launch Datsun in Japan or any developed country...This is for high-growth emerging markets," he said. Nissan said Datsun's ultra low cost vehicles-which the company says will be about half the cost of its current lowest end vehicles that start at $10,000-will target first-time new car buyers, especially those looking to trade up from motorcycles or used cars. Japan's second-largest auto maker by volume after Toyota Motor Corp. aims to tap that growing customer base without tarnishing the value of its existing product lines--the middle-income Nissan brand and upscale Infiniti brand. The company says Datsun will allow it to compete in a segment that makes up from one-third to one-half of all new car sales in India, Indonesia and Russia. It comes as Nissan is racing to catch up in those markets, where its presence has been overshadowed by rivals such as Honda Motor Co., Toyota and Hyundai Motor Co. Nissan said it will debut two Datsun models in each of the three initial markets in 2014 and then expand that product range by an unspecified number within three years. It provided few details on design or specifications of the new vehicles, but said they will be tailored to driver preferences and road conditions in each country. For example, Nissan said only vehicles with engine sizes of 1.2 liters and below will be introduced in Indonesia, while vehicles in Russia will incorporate larger engines. In Mumbai, Datsun unit Program Director Ashwani Gupta said Nissan will seek to price the initial models in India under INR400,000 ($8,000), which will help it compete in the biggest segment of the local market. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.'s WagonR and Hyundai's i10 and Eon are the major brands in the INR300,000-INR400,000 price range. While executives said Datsun might cross-share platforms and jointly source components with related operations, the cars won't be rebadged versions of the Chinese market Venucia brand made with partner Dongfeng Motor Group Co. or of Dacia vehicles sold by Nissan sister company Renault SA in Central Europe. Instead, Nissan said it has been quietly developing an entirely new line of cars for more than two years that incorporates technological innovations and fresh styling cues. "You should not look for proximity to an existing Japanese or American vehicle," said Vincent Cobee, a corporate vice president in charge of the Datsun brand. "Most customers are extremely smart buyers demanding (cars) for their particular needs. They are tired of receiving what in America you would call a 'hand-me-down' from the Western world." The new Datsun business unit has 15 dedicated employees and about 55 Nissan employees who are indirectly involved in marketing and planning functions, Cobee said. The Datsun name was introduced in Japan in 1932, and hit U.S. streets in 1958. In the 1970s and 1980s, Datsun won over U.S. consumers with small, fuel-efficient models like the B210, and driving enthusiasts with the 280Z. But in a controversial move that still rankles some longtime fans of the brand, the Datsun name was retired in the mid-1980s so Nissan could put its own badge on its cars. Datsun

[extract] It has been a long time since I saw a Datsun vehicle driven on the road. It was a Datsun 120Y, also known as the Sunny (if I

Remember old days when they were common...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_TsEdPKiXzI 1972 Electric Datsun (White Zombie) Flexes Its Muscle & beats 2005 405hp Corvette in a drag race. White Zombie does 0-60mph in just 3.0 seconds, which is better than many gasoline muscles car. V12,Inline 6, flat four, V8 all useless in the face of electric. White Zombie: Get Under the Hood of an Electric Dragster http://youtube.com/watch?v=-PRkpn2xmjc