1970s

Fairlady Z / Datsun Z S30

As automobiles went mainstream, accidents, traffic jams and air pollution became serious social problems. 1970 saw the highest number of traffic fatalities ever recorded in Japan — 16,765 — leading people to dub the situation the "traffic war."

Meanwhile, the U.S. began implementing new emission regulations to reduce air pollution. Demand also grew for more fuel-efficient cars as gasoline prices soared in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. Sales soared for fuel-efficient, clean-burning Japanese compact cars.

During this period, Nissan promoted the development of new models while improving its safety and environmental technologies. It also expanded production bases to meet growing demand for automobiles, completing the Tochigi Plant in 1971 and the Kyushu Plant in 1977. Nissan’s cumulative production surpassed 20 million units in 1977.

1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979

1970

February	▪	Lambda 4S-5 successfully launches Japan's first satellite, OHSUMI. (Nissan developed and manufactured the rocket engine and launch vehicle.)
March	▪	Nissan moves into the marine engine field.
May	▪	Datsun Sunny Model B110 Datsun Sunny Model B110
August	▪	Cabstar Model A321
October	▪	Cherry Model E10 Junior Model 140 Cherry Model E10

1971

February	▪	Cedric Model 230 Gloria Model 230 Datsun Sunny Truck Model B120 Gloria Model 230
March	▪	Construction of the Tochigi Plant is completed. (Partial operations begin in October 1968.)
August	▪	Datsun Bluebird U 610 Datsun Bluebird U 610
September	▪	Civilian Model GC240

1972

February	▪	Datsun Truck Model 620
April	▪	Laurel Model C130 Laurel Model C130
August	▪	Homer Model T20
September	▪	Skyline Model C110 Cumulative domestic production surpasses 10 million units. Skyline Model C110

1973

January	▪	Skyline 2000GT-R Model C110 Clipper Model T40 Light Coach Model T40 Skyline 2000GT-R Model C110
February	▪	Caravan Model E20
May	▪	Datsun Sunny Model B210
August	▪	President Model 250 President Model 250
October	▪	Construction of the Sagamihara Parts Center is completed. (Partial operations began in April 1972.)

1974

April	▪	Nissan Science Foundation is established.
September	▪	Cherry FII Model F10 Cherry FII Model F10

1975

June	▪	Cedric Model 330 Gloria Model 330 Cumulative domestic sales surpass 10 million units. Gloria Model 330
October	▪	Silvia Model S10 Silvia Model S10

1976

January	▪	Cabstar/Homer Model F20
March	▪	Nissan Motor Manufacturing Co. (Australia) Ltd. is established and full-scale operation begins.
May	▪	Caball/Clipper Model C340 Civilian Model GC340
July	▪	Datsun Bluebird Model 810 Datsun Bluebird Model 810

1977

January	▪	Laurel Model C230 Laurel Model C230
June	▪	Construction of the Kyushu Plant is completed. (Partial operations begin in April 1975.)
July	▪	Cumulative production surpasses 20 million units.
August	▪	Skyline Model C210
October	▪	Datsun Sunny Model B310 Datsun Sunny Model B310

1978

May	▪	Pulsar Model N10 Pulsar Model N10
August	▪	Fairlady Z Model S130 Fairlady Z Model S130
November	▪	Sunny Vanette Model C120 Cherry Vanette Model C120

1979

March	▪	Silvia/Gazelle Model S110
April	▪	Nissan Design International, Inc. (NDI) is established in the United States.
June	▪	Cedric Model 430 Gloria Model 430 Gloria Model 430
October	▪	Datsun Truck Model 720
November	▪	Datsun Bluebird Model 910 Datsun Bluebird Model 910

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