Is Datsun derogatory?

onzedge · 06-10-2012, 10:38 AM

Beginning with the 1982 model year, Nissan badged the US-sold cars as "Datsun by Nissan". In the 1984 model year -- all were Nissans.

280z/300zx · 06-10-2012, 11:19 AM

No, but consider that Datsun was a made up name. Datsun was used here in the states so that if if failed the parent company name, Nissan, wouldn't be affected. Nissan was always the original name but since they weren't sure if they could do a good job here they called their cars Datsun. Not really derogatory but considering Datsun hasn't been around for 30 years and is not the true name of the company there are going to be a lot of people who don't know what you are talking about or may think your an idiot for calling your car a datsun. We enthusiasts know better but your average person on the street may wonder why your calling your Nissan a Datsun.

onzedge · 06-10-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

No, but consider that Datsun was a made up name. Datsun was used here in the states so that if if failed the parent company name, Nissan, wouldn't be affected. Nissan was always the original name but since they weren't sure if they could do a good job here they called their cars Datsun. Not really derogatory but considering Datsun hasn't been around for 30 years and is not the true name of the company there are going to be a lot of people who don't know what you are talking about or may think your an idiot for calling your car a datsun. We enthusiasts know better but your average person on the street may wonder why your calling your Nissan a Datsun.

takjak2 · 06-10-2012, 11:22 AM

I don't take Datsun as an insult, many people know the old Z cars and Nissan in the US by the name.

I think the issues comes from the fact that the name Datsun was started and used by the existing Nissan company to protect their brand name from a potential flop when they entered the American market. As the brand became a success they phased it out, because we can all be proud of what they had gotten to.

The Datsun nameplate is now coming back into use for newly developing markets for the same reason.

Mt Tam I am · 06-10-2012, 11:56 AM

Thanks to all who've answered. It is like a girls maiden name. When she marries I still think, and refer to her by the first name I knew her by. Never insultingly. Just the way my brain works.

bigsix · 06-10-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Beginning with the 1982 model year, Nissan badged the US-sold cars as "Datsun by Nissan". In the 1984 model year -- all were Nissans.

Sweet: Thanks.

I've been looking for this exact information.

View Poll Results: Is Datsun applied to a 370Z derogatory?
Yes	6	6.52%
No	73	79.35%
Not sure.	13	14.13%
Voters: 92. You may not vote on this poll

06-10-2012, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 65 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684738	Beginning with the 1982 model year, Nissan badged the US-sold cars as "Datsun by Nissan". In the 1984 model year -- all were Nissans. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

06-10-2012, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 144	I don't take Datsun as an insult, many people know the old Z cars and Nissan in the US by the name. I think the issues comes from the fact that the name Datsun was started and used by the existing Nissan company to protect their brand name from a potential flop when they entered the American market. As the brand became a success they phased it out, because we can all be proud of what they had gotten to. The Datsun nameplate is now coming back into use for newly developing markets for the same reason. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

06-10-2012, 11:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3845	Thanks to all who've answered. It is like a girls maiden name. When she marries I still think, and refer to her by the first name I knew her by. Never insultingly. Just the way my brain works. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

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06-10-2012, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 274	No, but consider that Datsun was a made up name. Datsun was used here in the states so that if if failed the parent company name, Nissan, wouldn't be affected. Nissan was always the original name but since they weren't sure if they could do a good job here they called their cars Datsun. Not really derogatory but considering Datsun hasn't been around for 30 years and is not the true name of the company there are going to be a lot of people who don't know what you are talking about or may think your an idiot for calling your car a datsun. We enthusiasts know better but your average person on the street may wonder why your calling your Nissan a Datsun.