In 1917, Japan entered the automobile industry with the Mitsubishi model-A. The design was based on the Italian Fiat Zero. The act of using ideas from around the world would be repeated.
In 1930, the British helped the Japanese auto industry, but they were unaware of it. Datsun, later known as Nissan, used the British Austin Seven as a model for their first car. Sir Herbert Austin, head of the British company, was furious with the duplication. Nissan was careful not to make an exact replica.
International politics have played a large role in the history of the Japanese automobile. The communist invasion of Korea loomed near a vulnerable Japan. The United States intervened to make Japan an ally. “Americans would rue the day they ever helped Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi discover the Japanese way” (Mantle, 27).
By 1950, Toyota was almost broke. They were only selling 300 trucks a month, and had stopped making cars. Shotaro Kamiya, CEO of Toyota, benefited from the timing of the Korean War. The United States feared communism would spread, and Kamiya received an “order from the pentagon for 1,500 trucks a month” (Mantle, 25).
Nissan bought an Austin-7, stripped it down and copied its layout. It now leads the pack.
Traditionally, Japan built small cars that were perfect for narrow roads. By the 1960’s, Japan was using international styles to add appeal to their automobiles. The Japanese have a history of integrating ideas from the best and the brightest. One example, is the Datsun 510 sedan. The engine and suspension was copied from the BMW 1600. The body was developed by Pininfarina, the famous Italian car designer. With business wisdom, Datsun signed Pininfarina to a contract that prevented him from taking credit for the design.