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The Z-car Returns - Nissan Announces 'We Will Build It'

1 April 1999

The Z-car Returns - Nissan Announces 'We Will Build It' NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION Nissan announced production of a new Z-car, based on this Z Concept on display at the New York International Auto Show from April 3-11. (PRNewsFoto)[PH] NEW YORK, NY USA 03/31/1999    

    NEW YORK, March 31 -- "We will build it."  With these four
words, spoken by Minoru Nakamura, president and CEO, Nissan North America,
Inc., Nissan announced it will bring back production of an all-new version of
the legendary Z-car for the North American market.  The announcement was made
at a press conference today at the 1999 New York International Auto Show.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990331/LAW060 )
    The new Nissan Z-car will be based on the Z Concept vehicle, first
introduced at the 1999 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and
displayed in Chicago and New York.  The Z Concept, with its long hood, short
deck and traditional Z-car styling cues, was designed at Nissan Design
International, Inc., (NDI) in La Jolla, Calif.
    "I'm honored to announce the production of the new Z," said Nakamura.  "It
marks the new spirit of Nissan while paying tribute to our past, especially to
Yutaka Katayama, without whom the Z-car and Nissan would not have existed in
the United States."
    Yutaka Katayama, or "Mr. K" as he is known in the Nissan community, is the
89-year old "father" of the original Datsun 240Z, and was president of Nissan
Motor Corporation, USA from 1965 to 1975.  He was responsible for the creation
and import of the 1970 Datsun 240Z, which he unveiled in New York in October
1969.
    "The Z Concept that has been making the auto show rounds only hints at
what's to come," said Jerry Hirshberg, president, NDI.  "We're going to make
some changes to the car's styling before it goes into production, but it will
be a 'Z' in every way."
    The quick decision to bring the Z Concept into production just four months
after its public debut -- was based largely on the overwhelming media,
consumer and dealer response to the show car.  Nissan was inundated by phone
calls, letters and e-mails calling for the Z's return.
    "Details regarding engine and platform for the new sports car, as well as
availability, will be announced at a later date -- but as my boss Mr. Nakamura
has said, it must have 'Z DNA,'" said Michael Seergy, vice president and
general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.  "That means it
must be, and will be, affordably priced."
    "This is a historic day for Nissan, just as it was nearly 30 years ago,
and we have our consumers to thank," Seergy continued.  "Though there's still
a tremendous amount of work to be done before bringing the final production
car to market, we're extremely excited about the future of the Z and Nissan in
the U.S."