In cinema, the letter 'Z' is associated with "the mark of Zorro". In the movie "The Mask of Zorro", when Antonio Banderas' character Alejandro Murieta carves the letter 'Z' on the wall, it was a mark that the legendary vigilante, who fought for the poor people's rights against an oppressive and corrupt Spanish Government, had finally resurrected after so many years of absence. The legacy had lived on
Movies no doubt tend romanticize everything for the sake of drama and entertainment.
But in the auto industry, the letter 'Z' has made a dramatic mark even distinguished screen-play writers would love to have thought of.
The 'Z', of course, represents Nissan's highly successful sportscar series that has been a symbol of both the company's reinvention during the 60's as well as its resurrection from the company's trying times during the mid-late 90's. How one letter can symbolize so much value for a company boils down to the history of the 'Z series': a history that is nothing short of epic.
During the 60's, Nissan cars, known as Datsun, were seen as the typical Japanese 'econobox': affordable, thrifty, economical but basic and unexciting. They were cars that were solely built from going from point A to point B.
That image changed however with the introduction of the 'Z car'. the Nissan USA President at that time, Yutaka Katayama, wanted a next generation of sports cars that were fast and stylish but still affordable.
Released in October 22, 1969, the introduction of the Datsun 240z in America was an instant hit. The 240z was a legitimate sports car that could compete with the likes of more expensive European brands like Jaguar and Porsche but for the price of a lot less. The success of the 240z on the racetrack only boosted the car's reputation.
The popularity of the 240 Z however was just the beginning. The 'Z' series was going to be an ongoing commercial success in America with the 260z, 280z, 280zx, Z31, and Z32.
But then, disaster struck. Nissan Motor Company faced severe financial issues during the mid-90's and the company was Billions in debt.
The production of the Z car became too expensive at the time when the company was struggling to keep itself afloat. The Z series fell out of the radar.
However, there were attempts to bring the 'Z' back into production around 1999 with the modernized version of the 240z called 240z concept. The new concept car however failed to appeal to car enthusiasts with its four cylinder engine considered as a downgrade from the original 240z's straight six engine.
Nissan seemed to be a doomed sinking ship, drowning the famous 'Z'-series along with it.
Then came the alliance of Nissan with Renault wherein Renault Chief Operating officer Carlos Ghosn was appointed as Nissan's Chief Operating Officer.
Ghosn constructed a "Nissan Revival Plan" to turn the fortunes of the then struggling company.
A major part of that revival plan was the reintroduction of the Z series.
"Like most people in North America," Ghosn said "my impression of Nissan was based almost solely on one car: the 'Z'."
And indeed, the Z series reinvented Nissan's image back in 1969. The new 'Z' was supposed to be no different. Carlos Ghosn proceeded by saying: "Our bold new 'Z' has the opportunity to become an icon for Nissan once again."
The result was the 350z that coincided with Nissan's dramatic turnaround.
The 'Z' became a symbol of the company's revival. And according to Ghosn, "it (350 Z) is a concrete illustration of the new Nissan."
With random news scattering around with the all new 370z, one can only imagine how far the revitalized Nissan can go.
Movies no doubt tend romanticize everything for the sake of drama and entertainment.
But in the auto industry, the letter 'Z' has made a dramatic mark even distinguished screen-play writers would love to have thought of.
The 'Z', of course, represents Nissan's highly successful sportscar series that has been a symbol of both the company's reinvention during the 60's as well as its resurrection from the company's trying times during the mid-late 90's. How one letter can symbolize so much value for a company boils down to the history of the 'Z series': a history that is nothing short of epic.
During the 60's, Nissan cars, known as Datsun, were seen as the typical Japanese 'econobox': affordable, thrifty, economical but basic and unexciting. They were cars that were solely built from going from point A to point B.
That image changed however with the introduction of the 'Z car'. the Nissan USA President at that time, Yutaka Katayama, wanted a next generation of sports cars that were fast and stylish but still affordable.
Released in October 22, 1969, the introduction of the Datsun 240z in America was an instant hit. The 240z was a legitimate sports car that could compete with the likes of more expensive European brands like Jaguar and Porsche but for the price of a lot less. The success of the 240z on the racetrack only boosted the car's reputation.
The popularity of the 240 Z however was just the beginning. The 'Z' series was going to be an ongoing commercial success in America with the 260z, 280z, 280zx, Z31, and Z32.
But then, disaster struck. Nissan Motor Company faced severe financial issues during the mid-90's and the company was Billions in debt.
The production of the Z car became too expensive at the time when the company was struggling to keep itself afloat. The Z series fell out of the radar.
However, there were attempts to bring the 'Z' back into production around 1999 with the modernized version of the 240z called 240z concept. The new concept car however failed to appeal to car enthusiasts with its four cylinder engine considered as a downgrade from the original 240z's straight six engine.
Nissan seemed to be a doomed sinking ship, drowning the famous 'Z'-series along with it.
Then came the alliance of Nissan with Renault wherein Renault Chief Operating officer Carlos Ghosn was appointed as Nissan's Chief Operating Officer.
Ghosn constructed a "Nissan Revival Plan" to turn the fortunes of the then struggling company.
A major part of that revival plan was the reintroduction of the Z series.
"Like most people in North America," Ghosn said "my impression of Nissan was based almost solely on one car: the 'Z'."
And indeed, the Z series reinvented Nissan's image back in 1969. The new 'Z' was supposed to be no different. Carlos Ghosn proceeded by saying: "Our bold new 'Z' has the opportunity to become an icon for Nissan once again."
The result was the 350z that coincided with Nissan's dramatic turnaround.
The 'Z' became a symbol of the company's revival. And according to Ghosn, "it (350 Z) is a concrete illustration of the new Nissan."
With random news scattering around with the all new 370z, one can only imagine how far the revitalized Nissan can go.
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