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Love selling Nissans and want your customers to feel the same enthusiasm? Memorize and share these fascinating Nissan facts with them.
Japan has a reputation as home to some of the top automakers in the world, and as a car salesperson, you’ve undoubtedly worked with customers who prefer Japanese-made cars. Many people, though, tend to ask about well-known brands like Honda and Toyota—completely forgetting about another brand that gives those guys a run for their money: Nissan.
There are Nissan lovers all over the world, but there may be times when you need to introduce those Honda fans to another Japanese manufacturer that you think may fill their individual needs a little better. You know they’ll be “wowed” the second they sit in the driver’s seat, shift the car into gear, and go for a smooth test drive, but it could take some gentle nudging to get to that point if they aren’t familiar with the Nissan brand.
If you’re passionate about selling Nissans, you need to take some time out of your day to commit a few essential Nissan facts to memory. Arming yourself with as much Nissan-related information as possible will give you the opportunity to share that knowledge with your customers, and hopefully, convert them into the Nissan enthusiasts you knew they could be.
Stop! Learn these essential Nissan facts before work tomorrow.
1. Nissan was not the original name of the company.
Nissan was initially named Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. when it opened in Yokohama in 1933. After merging with another Japanese automaker in 1934, the company was re-named Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
2. Nissan has been in the U.S. since 1958, but you couldn’t buy one until 1981.
Nissan’s first vehicles were marketed under the Datsun brand after they were built in 1934. Datsun cars arrived in the U.S. in 1958, and the company didn’t begin the process of changing its name until 1981.
3. Nissan played a major role in space technology.
In 1970, Japan launched its first satellite, Ohsumi. Nissan developed the rocket engine and launch vehicle, Lambda 4S-5. To concentrate on its core automotive operations, the company sold its aerospace division to IHI in 2000.
4. Nissan makes more than cars.
Among the lesser-known Nissan facts is that the company began producing motorboats in 1976.
5. Nissan is a bigger automotive company than you may realize.
Nissan formed an alliance with Renault in 1999, and it’s currently the longest-running transnational partnership between two major manufacturers in the automotive industry. Renault has a 43.4% stake in Nissan, and Nissan a 15% stake in Renault. The Renault-Nissan Alliance is the world’s number four automaker.
6. Nissan may be responsible for the popularity of female spokesmodels in the auto industry.
In 1936, Nissan hired four women to be brand ambassadors, and they still employ a spokesmodel team known as the “Miss Fair Lady” team. These women even get a shout out from the company in its model lineup—the Nissan Z is called the “Fairlady” in Japan.
7. One of Nissan’s vehicles had a hidden surprise.
The Nissan Pulsar GTi-R was a 227-horsepower, AWD hatchback created for rally driving. On the driver’s side door, there was a folded-up umbrella built into the frame.
8. Nissan engines are highly rated.
Nissan VQ engines are featured on many top engine lists around the world and consistently win year after year. Wards Auto listed the VQ on their top 10 list for 15 out of the last 22 years.
9. Nissan is trying to lower the price of their cars.
At the end of 2016, Nissan, along with Renault and Mitsubishi, announced they would combine their electric vehicle platforms in an effort to lower prices to levels comparable to conventional gasoline-powered cars. Nissan has been one of the most vocal proponents of zero-emission technology.
10. The 2017 Nissan Titan full-size pickup was named Truck Trend’s 2017 Pickup Truck of the Year.
After more than 1,200 miles of performance testing, hauling, towing, fuel economy calculation, and off-roading, the Nissan Titan beat seven other competitors.
11. The Nissan Maxima is a technology winner.
The J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study found the 2016 Nissan Maxima to be the highest-ranked large car. The study measures a vehicle owner’s experience over a 90-day period using and interacting with “driver-centric vehicle technology.”
12. Nissan prioritizes safety.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded three 2017 Nissan vehicles—the Altima, Maxima, and Rogue—with its “Top Safety Pick Plus” safety rating; this is the group’s highest possible designation.
Nissan may be your favorite brand or the brand you sell the most of, but to be a successful auto salesperson, you need to branch out and learn more than just Nissan facts. When you work on a used car lot, any number of different makes and models will drive into your life—and if you want to sell them, you’ll need to be ready to provide essential facts that will help your customers make the right decision.
Not sure where to begin? Scroll through our lists of facts about Honda, Toyota, Ford, and Jeep.
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