Every August, the Philippines marks History Month in honor of the countless stories and people that helped shape the country into what it is today. This year, Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is united with the country in celebrating this historic commemoration by revisiting its own journey, which dates back more than half a century. From Datsun to NPI, this is how it all started.
Nissan’s journey in the Philippines goes back to the 1960s when its vehicles were sold under the Datsun brand. At the time, the Philippine roads saw models such as the Datsun 180B, Cedric 200C, and the rugged Datsun 1600 pickup established the Japanese brand as the top-of-mind when it comes to durability and versatility. These vehicles proved that Nissan is capable of providing Filipinos with quality products that serve both everyday commuting and tough labor.
NPI shared that the 1980s were a pivotal point in its Philippine portfolio. The decade witnessed Nissan Philippines’ successful endeavor to assemble its vehicles locally. This not only supported the growing demand but also created valuable job opportunities for Filipinos in the motoring industry. The 1980s also saw the resurgence of Nissan’s most notable models in the Philippines. These include the Nissan Patrol, Frontier, and especially the Sentra.
What about the Sentra? This compact sedan became a household name in the industry during the 1980s and 1990s. A vehicle that adapts well as a daily driver and a weekend ride, this compact sedan was sought after for its reliability and easy-to-maintain engineering. It touched the hearts of enthusiasts like Dennis Carpio, who bought back his 1988 Sentra from his neighbor to restore it to showroom condition.
Carpio went on to say, “For me, the durability of the vehicle really stands out. “Despite its age, the engine is still very easy to maintain and the body panels feel very solid.”
Nissan PH continued to rise in the 2000s. Seeing the growing interest in compact SUVs, Nissan introduced the X-Trail in 2003. The X-Trail quickly became a favorite among families who value versatility and comfort. The Nissan X-Trail carries not only performance, but personal memories, too, as shared by Nicky Tuason.
Tuason didn’t purchase his X-Trail. It was a cherished gift that his lolo and lola had handed to him. A special unit, which he still owns to this day, holds great sentimental value, surpassing any amount of money, bridging the gap between his childhood and the present.
“It’s the last car from my childhood. It saw me grow up and was always there, growing up alongside me. And instead of getting a new car, I’d rather make this car as good as a modern car. For its age, it can still go head-to-head with a modern one,” shared Tuason.
Moving forward in time to 2013, Nissan Philippines established what is now known as NPI. This move signalled a new era, with models such as the Terra SUV and the Navara pickup strengthening the lineup. Nissan claims that the latter defined the segment with its combination of toughness, intelligent features, safety tech, and sedan-like comfort in a pickup body.
Den Paulino, a Nissan Navara owner, shared, “We chose the Nissan Navara because it stood out in terms of comfort and safety for our kids. The 360-degree camera, six airbags, and intelligent safety features made it an easy choice for our family.”
With a storied background, NPI looks ahead into the future. In 2021, it launched the Nissan LEAF, one of the country’s first electric vehicle (EV) models. A year later, the brand brought in the Kicks e-POWER, a small hybrid crossover. And more recently, NPI added the all-new Patrol, continuing the model’s solid run in the Philippines.
“From our earliest nameplates to today’s tech-driven lineup, our history in the Philippines has been one of constant evolution,” says Nissan Philippines President Masao Tsutsumi. “As we celebrate Philippine History Month, we also celebrate the many roads we have traveled together, and the many more still to come.”
