What was the name before Datsun?
The name before Datsun was DAT, a short brand from Japan’s early Kaishinsha Motor Car Works; in some historical references it’s also written as Datson. This DAT lineage laid the groundwork for the later Datsun export brand.
Origins of the DAT brand
The DAT mark originated from the initials of three investors who backed the early venture. Kaishinsha Motor Car Works produced Japan’s early mass‑market car under the DAT banner in the 1910s, marking a pivotal step in the country’s automotive industry.
What DAT stood for
The letters D, A, and T represent Den, Aoyama, and Takeuchi—the founders/backers whose support helped launch the project.
These initials became the emblem of Japan’s first significant attempt at mass‑produced passenger cars, setting the stage for Nissan’s later branding decisions.
Key milestones in the DAT-to-Datsun evolution are listed below.
- 1914: The DAT car is produced by Kaishinsha Motor Car Works, one of Japan’s earliest mass‑production efforts in the automotive sector.
- The DAT name reflects the collaboration of Den, Aoyama, and Takeuchi, the trio behind the initial venture.
- 1931: The export name Datsun is introduced, drawing from the DAT lineage for international markets.
- Throughout the mid‑20th century, Datsun served as Nissan’s export brand before the company consolidated its branding under the Nissan name in many markets; a Datsun revival appeared in some regions during the 2010s.
These milestones illustrate the trajectory from the DAT/Datson branding to the global Datsun name, and finally to the broader Nissan identity in most markets.
The corporate lineage
Understanding the name before Datsun also involves the corporate lineage: Kaishinsha Motor Car Works eventually evolved into a company that would shape Nissan’s early branding. The Datsun name served as the export face for Nissan for many decades, before branding strategies shifted toward Nissan in most regions, with limited Datsun revival efforts in some markets during the 2010s.
Summary
Did Nissan have a different name?
Its name was changed to Datsun in 1932. Aikawa then established Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd., in 1933 to ramp up production. In 1934, the company was renamed Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
What was Toyota called before?
Toyoda
Vehicles were originally sold under the name "Toyoda" (トヨダ), from the family name of the company's founder, Kiichirō Toyoda. In September 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo.
What was Datsun called before Datsun?
Datson
DAT Automobile Manufacturing began development of a line of 495 cc cars to sell in this new market segment, calling the new small cars "Datson" – meaning "Son of DAT". The name was changed to "Datsun" two years later in 1933. The first prototype Datson was completed in the summer of 1931.
What is the other name for Datsun?
Nissan
Though the first Nissan – actually a Datsun – was produced in 1914, the name Nissan itself didn't truly debut until 1933 when founder Yoshisuke Aikawa listed the Nihon Sangyo Company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker name: NISSAN.
