This Nissan commercial van nameplate traces back to the company’s first Nissan-branded vehicles, which were launched in 1937. The original lineup included passenger cars, commercial vans, and motorcoaches, with the van positioned as a larger work-oriented vehicle in contrast to the smaller Datsun models. Built at Nissan’s Yokohama plant using equipment, tools, and drawings transferred from Graham-Paige, the series represented an important early step in establishing the Nissan brand.
The van is notable as one of Japan’s earliest semi cab-over commercial vehicles, designed to provide more usable luggage and cargo space while keeping a relatively compact overall form for city and delivery use. Nissan’s heritage material describes the van as a delivery vehicle introduced at Mitsukoshi Department Store in 1939, and notes that it remained in service until 1962, underscoring its durability and practical reputation.
Historically, this nameplate belongs to Nissan’s prewar commercial-vehicle roots and helps define the company’s early identity in light-duty transport. It should not be confused with later Nissan vans or the broader Vanette/Caravan family that followed in later decades.