Nissan: This was just the beginning

Motorsport-Magazin.com - On the way to number one: By 2016, Nissan will ascend the highest turnover Asian car brand in Europe. This would not be the first time that Nissan is taking a lead role in the automotive industry - just think of the Nissan QASHQAI as the founder of modern crossover segment or the LEAF is the first mass-produced electric car. On the occasion of the 40th Birthday, the Nissan Celebrates 2012 in Germany, we invite you with 40 press releases for a ramble through the embossed always a history of innovations Nissan.

Only motorsports victories make the brand into a myth, especially when the triumphs in long distance rallies - are won - the ultimate test for man and machine. After initial successes at national circuit racing Nissan sent his fastest heroes 1958 demanding endurance rally in the world, the "mobile gas Trial around Australia." Over a distance of 16,000 kilometers, had two Nissan (Datsun) Bluebird 210 expose the stress of heat, dust, sand, mud and asphalt quick sprints. As with all participants in the international field and the Nissan works team arrival was the primary target. But fame could reap just who won a place on the podium. One of the two Bluebird succeeded on the first attempt believed to be impossible: a confident victory against global competition from established motorsport brands. What the competitors sometimes required years of planning and numerous start-ups, Nissan managed the first baptism of fire. More than that, and the second Nissan (Datsun) Bluebird landed 210 in front of the field and just missed the podium.

In Australia, Nissan achieved worldwide recognition and the foundation for the enduring reputation set to build more enduring and reliable cars. A quality image, which was founded just in time to lead to the end of the 1950s started export drive to North America and Europe to success. Controlled the development of the Nissan sales network in the U.S. was by Yutaka Katayama, who had charge of the Nissan Motorsport team boss the triumphant victory in the Rally Australia. In fact, sporting success for the Japanese population in the first decade following the war an event of national importance. Therefore, the Nissan team was cheered on his return as a national team.

Nissan even the glorious victory should only be the beginning of a still ongoing series of racing successes on the racetrack, but especially in the most challenging rallies in the world. When Nissan 40 years ago communicated to Germany start, press headlines proclaimed "Everybody knows Datsun". One of the accompanying photos showed a rally car.