Save Remove Download Share Subscribe January 1, 1970 – , Thu Jun 10 00:00:00 -0500 2010 Annual sales in the United States pass the quarter-million mark. Nissan also establishes itself on the race-track: The BRE 510 wins the SCAA 2.5 liter Trans Am Championship in 1971, claiming Nissan's first professional racing championship. It proceeds to dominate the series, winning 15 out of 21 events. Meanwhile, another 510 wins the East African Safari, while yet another wins the American Rally Championship in 1971. Today, the 510 enjoys a cult-like following and is still active in SCAA club racing. 1970 The Lambda 4S-5 successfully launches Japan's first satellite, OHSUMI. Nissan developed and manufactured the rocket engine and launch vehicle. In March, Nissan moves into the marine engine field. 1972 The civilian 510 introduces a new concept: a 4-dor sports sedan. This good-looking, 5-passenger family car is fun to drive and economical. Over 300,000 sedans and wagons are sold. As a result, race-bred sportiness remains very much part of Nissan’s DNA today. Cumulative domestic production surpasses 10 million units. 1973 The 1-millionth Datsun vehicle is sold in America. 1974 Nissan Science Foundation is established. 1975 Datsun becomes the top U.S. vehicle importer. Cumulative domestic sales in Japan surpass 10 million units. 1976 Nissan Motor Manufacturing Co. (Australia) Ltd. is established and full-scale operation begins. 1977 Nissan expands the idea of how much work a truck can do by introducing the King Cab, the first extended cab pickup truck. Cumulative production surpasses 20 million units. 1979 Nissan Design International (NDI) is established in La Jolla, California, to provide American concepts and style to Nissan vehicles. Among their many creations (including today’s popular Xterra) is the “out there” Gobi Truck concept. Developed in the late 1980s, it is a direct extension of the very first Datsun truck. Issued by Nissan Save Remove Download Share Subscribe to Email Alerts