Nissan's Journey to the Top of the UK Car Market

Published Date: 12th Mar 2023

Nissan's journey to the UK began in the 1930s when the company was known as Datsun. Datsun started exporting cars to the UK in the 1950s and quickly gained a reputation for producing reliable and affordable cars. In the 1960s, Datsun established a sales office in the UK, which was tasked with promoting the brand and increasing sales.

By the 1970s, Datsun had become a popular brand in the UK, with its Sunny and Cherry models proving particularly successful. In 1970, the company sold over 10,000 cars in the UK, making it one of the best-selling Japanese car brands in the country.

In the early 1980s, Datsun changed its name to Nissan, and the company began to focus on expanding its operations in the UK. In 1983, Nissan opened its first manufacturing plant in the UK in a joint venture with British car manufacturer Austin Rover. The plant, located in Sunderland, began producing the Nissan Bluebird, a mid-size family car that was popular throughout the 1980s.

In 1986, Nissan took full control of the Sunderland plant, ending its partnership with Austin Rover. Over the next few years, the company continued to expand its operations in the UK, investing in new facilities and introducing new models. In 1990, the plant produced its one-millionth vehicle, and by 1995, the figure had reached three million.

During this period, Nissan focused on producing affordable and reliable cars for the UK market. The Micra, a small hatchback that was first launched in 1983, proved hugely popular with UK drivers thanks to its affordability, reliability, and fuel efficiency. The car was produced in Sunderland in 1992, and by the end of the decade, it had become one of the best-selling cars in the UK.

In 2000, Nissan launched the X-Trail, a compact SUV that was designed for both on-road and off-road use. The X-Trail was a big hit with UK drivers, quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular SUVs on the market. In 2006, the company introduced the Qashqai, a crossover SUV that combined the practicality of an SUV with the agility of a hatchback. The Qashqai was an instant success and has remained one of the best-selling cars in the UK ever since.

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The Qashqai has been updated several times since its launch, with the latest version released in 2021. The new Qashqai features advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. It is also available with a range of hybrid powertrains, including a 1.3-litre petrol engine combined with a 12-volt mild-hybrid system and a 1.5-litre diesel engine combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The Qashqai also features Nissan's ProPilot driver assistance system, which can help the driver stay in their lane, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and even brake and accelerate in stop-start traffic.

Nissan also offers a range of other popular SUVs in the UK, including the Juke and the X-Trail. The Juke is a small crossover SUV that was first launched in 2010. It features a bold, distinctive design and advanced technology, including a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and a rearview camera. It's also an affordable option for drivers who want a bit of extra space and height without breaking the bank. The Juke has undergone several updates and redesigns over the years, with the latest model featuring a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that delivers 117 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque.

For drivers who need even more space, the Nissan X-Trail is a great option. This mid-size SUV offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo, making it a great choice for families or anyone needing to transport large items regularly. The X-Trail has various advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The latest model also features Nissan's ProPILOT system, which offers semi-autonomous driving assistance on the highway.

Image of a Nissan Ariya Another recent addition to Nissan's UK lineup is the Ariya, an all-electric crossover SUV that is set to hit the market in 2022. The Ariya is one of Nissan's most significant new releases in recent years and is expected to be a strong competitor in the growing electric vehicle market. It boasts a range of up to 310 miles on a single charge and features Nissan's latest ProPILOT 2.0 driver assistance system, which can handle tasks like lane changes and overtaking on the highway.

Nissan's commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the company's LEAF electric vehicle, which has been on the market since 2010.

The LEAF has won numerous awards for its environmental credentials and driving performance. It's also an affordable option for drivers who want to switch to electric, with prices starting from under £30,000. The latest model features an improved range of up to 168 miles on a single charge, making it more practical for everyday use.

One of the reasons why Nissan cars have become so popular in the UK is their reputation for reliability and quality. In a recent survey by the consumer group Which? Nissan was ranked as the third most reliable car brand in the UK, behind only Toyota and Lexus. The company's vehicles also tend to hold their value well, making them a good investment for drivers looking to resell their cars.

Another factor that makes Nissan cars attractive to UK customers is the company's focus on technology and innovation. Nissan has been at the forefront of developing new technologies for the automotive industry, including electric and autonomous vehicles. The company's ProPILOT system, which is available on several of its models, offers semi-autonomous driving assistance on the highway, making long journeys more comfortable and stress-free.

Nissan cars are also known for their affordability, with many models priced competitively compared to their rivals. The Micra, for example, starts at just over £17,000, making it one of the cheapest quality new cars on the market. The Juke and Qashqai are also priced competitively, with prices starting from around £21,000 and £27,000, respectively.

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The affordability of Nissan cars, combined with their reliability and quality, make them an attractive option for drivers who are looking for a great value car.

Finally, Nissan's commitment to the UK is another reason our customers always consider buying one of its cars. The company's Sunderland plant is one of the largest car manufacturing facilities in the UK, employing over 6,000 people and producing over 400,000 cars each year. Nissan has also committed to building a new electric vehicle hub in Sunderland, which will create thousands of new jobs and help to cement the company's position as a key player in the UK automotive industry.

Nissan opened its first manufacturing plant in Sunderland, UK, in 1983 in a joint venture with Austin Rover.
The first model produced in the Sunderland plant was the Nissan Bluebird, a mid-size family car.
In 1986, Nissan took full control of the Sunderland plant and continued to expand its operations in the UK.
The Micra, a small hatchback that was first launched in 1983, was one of the key models produced by Nissan in the UK during the 1990s.
In 2000, Nissan launched the X-Trail, a compact SUV that quickly established itself as one of the most popular SUVs on the market.
In 2006, Nissan introduced the Qashqai, a crossover SUV that combined the practicality of an SUV with the agility of a hatchback.
In 2010, Nissan launched the Leaf, an all-electric hatchback that quickly became one of the most popular electric cars on the market.
Nissan announced plans to build a new electric vehicle hub in Sunderland in 2020, producing the next generation of electric vehicles, including the Ariya, a new electric SUV.
The Qashqai has remained one of the best-selling cars in the UK since its launch in 2006 and has won numerous awards for its design and performance.
Nissan's commitment to quality and reliability has earned it a loyal customer base in the UK. Its investment in new technologies has ensured it remains at the forefront of the UK automotive industry.

Nissan's Journey to the Top of the UK Car Market

CHECK OUT OUR LATEST NEW NISSAN CAR DEALS HERE

CHECK OUT OUR LATEST NEW NISSAN CAR DEALS HERE

Nissan opened its first manufacturing plant in Sunderland, UK, in 1983 in a joint venture with Austin Rover.

The first model produced in the Sunderland plant was the Nissan Bluebird, a mid-size family car.

In 1986, Nissan took full control of the Sunderland plant and continued to expand its operations in the UK.

The Micra, a small hatchback that was first launched in 1983, was one of the key models produced by Nissan in the UK during the 1990s.

In 2000, Nissan launched the X-Trail, a compact SUV that quickly established itself as one of the most popular SUVs on the market.

In 2006, Nissan introduced the Qashqai, a crossover SUV that combined the practicality of an SUV with the agility of a hatchback.

In 2010, Nissan launched the Leaf, an all-electric hatchback that quickly became one of the most popular electric cars on the market.

Nissan announced plans to build a new electric vehicle hub in Sunderland in 2020, producing the next generation of electric vehicles, including the Ariya, a new electric SUV.

The Qashqai has remained one of the best-selling cars in the UK since its launch in 2006 and has won numerous awards for its design and performance.

Nissan's commitment to quality and reliability has earned it a loyal customer base in the UK. Its investment in new technologies has ensured it remains at the forefront of the UK automotive industry.

CHECK OUT OUR LATEST NEW NISSAN CAR DEALS HERE