The North American market has seen some bold changes from Nissan over the years. Originally imported under the Datsun name, Nissan cars in Canada and the US changed to the new name in the early 1980s and the company hasn’t been the same since. A broader lineup and the introduction of the luxurious Infiniti brand in the late 1980s greatly changed the face of Nissan. The winners are consumers around the world who can get a great vehicle at a fair price.
It was in 1965 that the first Datsuns arrived in Canada. Who could forget the 1600cc 510 pickup with a 4-speed manual transmission? The only thing that could kill this car was rust and a rust bucket, at that. Now how about the 620 pickup? A great little transporter that is in a league of its own. My personal favorite was the 720 pickup truck equipped with a diesel engine. A good, robust truck that really drank fuel.
Nissan’s current lineup is a far cry from the cars that dotted the landscape during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. For consumers, that’s probably a good thing, too. Today’s lineup still offers glimpses of the original Datsuns with the Sentra somewhat reminiscent of the old B210, but also ten times more comfortable. The Altima, Maxima and refreshed 350Z round out the car lineup, and when you add in all the SUVs and trucks Nissan now sells, the Japanese automaker has something for everyone.
Consumers are maintaining their Nissans/Datsuns with premium parts and accessories from Nissan. Your dealer will have what you need, but remember that the prices you pay for parts through the dealer will be the current retail rate. Some national auto parts chains will have a decent selection, but may have a hard time finding the rare Datsun or Nissan part for you.
A new option for consumers is auto parts wholesalers, particularly those who sell online. Prices are often much lower because wholesalers buy directly from major manufacturers, including Bosch, K&N, Hella, Monroe, Covercraft, and others. Still, make sure the retailer is based in Canada and isn’t charging you outrageous shipping charges and fees for parts shipped from the US or elsewhere. The selection they offer you must be excellent, the parts in stock must meet or exceed OEM requirements, and customer service must be just a mouse click and/or toll free number away.
Beware of retailers that specialize in generic Nissan parts, as counterfeit auto parts are a huge problem in North America. Always find out in advance what the company’s shipping, return and warranty policies are before making your purchase.
