Nissan has been part of the Filipino driving experience for a long, long time! It all started way back in the 1960s with the Datsun brand.
Vehicles like the Datsun 180B and the rugged Datsun 1600 pickup were among the first to hit our roads, showing that Nissan could deliver both dependable passenger cars and tough utility vehicles. By the 1980s, the brand was so popular it started assembling vehicles right here in the Philippines, with icons like the Nissan Sentra becoming a go-to sedan for its reliability and comfort. One owner even restored his 1988 Sentra, proving that these cars were built to last!
As we rolled into the new millennium, Nissan hit a major milestone with the launch of the Nissan X-Trail in 2003. This compact crossover SUV was a huge hit, selling over 100 units in its first week and becoming a bridge for families’ past and present, just like for one owner who inherited his X-Trail from his late grandfather. In 2013, a new era began with the establishment of Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI). This brought in new, globally recognized models like the tough yet smart Navara. The Navara changed the pickup game with its unmatched comfort and safety features, like the 360-degree camera and multi-link coil suspension, making it a reliable companion for countless Filipino families’ adventures.
The journey hasn’t stopped there. In recent years, Nissan has been at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution in the Philippines, introducing the LEAF in 2021 and the Kicks e-POWER in 2022.
They also brought in the new All-New Patrol, proving that Nissan is always innovating for the future.
As Nissan Philippines President Masao Tsutsumi put it, “As we celebrate Philippine History Month, we also celebrate the many roads we have traveled together, and the many more still to come.” From past icons to future-forward models, Nissan is proud to be part of every Filipino’s journey.
