Nissan, once known as Datsun, is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1933. The company was originally named DAT Motorcar Co., but changed its name to Datsun in 1931. In 1934, the company changed its name again to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and has been known as Nissan ever since. Datsun was the brand name used for Nissan's line of small cars until 1986, when the company decided to focus on the Nissan brand.