Carlos Ghosn
Tuesday 9th March 1954 Born on this day, Carlos Ghosn, KBE, Brazilian born businessman. He is largely credited with turning around Nissan. As an outsider in charge of one of Japan’s largest companies, Ghosn has been extremely successful. He was voted Man of the Year 2003 by Fortune magazine’s Asian edition and is also on…
Born on this day, David Leslie, former British racing driver, best remembered for finishing runner-up in the 1999 British Touring Car Championship
Monday 9th November 1953 Born on this day, David Leslie, former British racing driver, best remembered for finishing runner-up in the 1999 British Touring Car Championship. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners.
Kazuyoshi Hoshino
Tuesday 1st July 1947 Born on this day, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, former racing driver and businessman from Japan. He won the Japanese motocross national championships in the 90cc and 125cc classes for Kawasaki in 1968 before switching to cars as a Nissan factory driver in 1969. In the mid 1970 he participated in two Grand Prix,…
Born on this day, Tony Pond, a well-known British rally driver
Friday 23rd November 1945 Born on this day, Tony Pond, a well-known British rally driver. His first outings in a rally car were on the then regular (in the early ’60s) Saturday night road rallies in the home counties around London, driving a Mini Cooper S. Using the same car he also became successful at…
The Toyota Motor Company Ltd, the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, was founded
Saturday 28th August 1937 The Toyota Motor Company Ltd, the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, was founded. The marque’s origins lie in the Japanese weaving industry when Sakichi Toyoda invented the world’s first automatic loom and, subsequently, set up the Toyoda Spinning and Weaving Company in 1918. His invention reduced defects and increased yields since a…
The Tokyo-based Jidosha-Seizo Kabushiki-Kaisha (Automobile Manufacturing Co
Friday 1st June 1934 The Tokyo-based Jidosha-Seizo Kabushiki-Kaisha (Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in English) took on a new name: Nissan Motor Company. Jidosha-Seizo Kabushiki-Kaisha had been established in December 1933. The company’s new name was an abbreviation for Nippon Sangyo, a “zaibatsu” (or holding company) belonging to Tobata’s founder, Yoshisuke Aikawa. Nissan produced its first…
Yutaka Katayama
Wednesday 15th September 1909 Born on this day, Yutaka Katayama, also known as Mr K, is a Japanese automotive executive who was employed by Nissan and served as the first president of Nissan Motor Company in U.S.A.. Katayama expanded Nissan’s focus from economy vehicles towards sportier vehicles, and is regarded by Datsun/Nissan Z Car enthusiasts…
The first motorised taxicab service in the United States started in New York City
Friday 31st May 1907 The first motorised taxicab service in the United States started in New York City. Harry N. Allen, incensed after being charged five dollars ($126.98 in today’s dollars) for a journey of 0.75 miles (1.21 km), decided “to start a [taxicab] service in New York and charge so-much per mile.” He imported…
Yoshisuke Aikawa
Saturday 6th November 1880 Born on this day, Yoshisuke Aikawa, Japanese entrepreneur, businessman, and politician, noteworthy as the founder and first president of the Nissan zaibatsu between 1931 and 1945.