| Nissan Vanette | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1994 Nissan Vanette (C22) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan (Nissan Aichi) (1978–1994) Mazda (1995–2011) |
| Production | 1978–1994 (Nissan) 1995–2011 (Mazda) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle |
| Body style | Van Pickup truck |
| Layout | FMR layout |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Datsun Sunny Cab/Nissan Cherry Cab |
| Successor | Nissan Serena Nissan NV200/Nissan NV300 |
TheNissan Vanette (Japanese:日産・バネット,Hepburn:Nissan Banetto) is acabovervan andpickup truck produced by theJapanese automakerNissan from 1978 until 2011. The first two generations were engineered by Nissan'sAichi Manufacturing Division for private, personal ownership, with the last two generations built byMazda, rebadged as Nissans and refocused as commercial vehicles, based on theMazda Bongo. The van has also been sold as theNissan Sunny-Vanette orNissan Van. The private purchase passenger platform was replaced by theNissan Serena in 1991, renamed Vanette in various international markets, and came equipped with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations.
Both 2WD and 4WD versions were produced, with manual, automatic, floor and column shift options available. While no longer produced for the Japanese market, it was still available in other markets around the world such asMalaysia.[1] Production ended around 2010, eventually being replaced by theNissan NV200.[2]
The first appearance of a cabover truck/delivery van appeared in 1962 with theDatsun Cablight, a rebadged version of the earlier Kurogane Mighty Nissan acquired when they assumed the operations ofTokyu Kogyo Kurogane. As the Cablight was reengineered, it was offered as a cab-over truck and van called theDatsun Sunny Cab/Nissan Cherry Cab (C20) introduced in 1969, and was one size smaller from thePrince Homer truck and thePrince Homy van. The cabover approach allowed the exterior dimensions to remain unchanged while increasing the length of the cargo area of theNissan Sunny truck. The Sunny Cab/Cherry Cab passenger van could accommodate five passengers, and an extended-length version could carry eight people. The Cab Vans did not have sliding passenger doors; instead, they had conventional front-hinged doors with extended lengths on the passenger side. The rear tailgate was a clamshell design where the door separated into two pieces that would extend up, with a tailgate on the lower half of the door.[3]
The commercial model was basic, keeping the price low. The Sunny Truck continued to be built after the introduction of the second generation passenger version, and was only replaced in early 1971 by the new B120-series truck. The Cabover trucks were renamed the Nissan Vanette and the Nissan Cherry Cab/Vanette or Vonnate.[4]
| Datsun Vanette (C120) | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
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| Production | 1978–1988 |
| Assembly | Oppama Plant,Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan Barcelona, Spain |
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| Curb weight | 865–1,050 kg (1,907–2,315 lb) |
Introduced in October 1978 as a replacement for the 1969 Nissan Cherry Cab/Sunny Cab C20 and Nissan Sunny Cab Van/Nissan Cherry Cab Van,[6] the first Vanette was exported as theDatsun C20 (later theNissan C20) or as theNissan Datsun Vanette (later theNissan Vanette). In the home market, it was initially marketed as either the 'Nissan Sunny Vanette' or the 'Nissan Cherry Vanette', depending on the distribution network, although in engineering terms, it borrowed heavily from the rear-wheel-drive generations of theSunny line—namely the B210 and B310 series models, with which it shared engines and transmissions. The Sunny Vanette was sold throughNissan Satio Store and the Cherry Vanette was sold throughNissan Cherry Store locations. These two models had somewhat differing front-end treatment. In March 1980, aDatsun Vanette version was also added, which was sold through theNissan Bluebird Store dealer network. The Datsun Vanette received twin headlights, while its related models had single headlights. It was a junior model to the largerNissan Caravan.
It was initially available in three lines: a truck version, vans (usually with passenger accommodation), and as a nine-seatminibus (Vanette Coach). The Coach received a 1.4 L (1,397 cc)A14 four-cylinder, producing 75 PS (55 kW) at 5,400 rpm. The van and truck versions originally had to make do with the lesser A12 of 1.2 L (1,171 cc) and 64 PS (47 kW) at the same engine speed.[7] Later, the 1400 engine became available in Van and Truck versions as well. In July 1979, a high-roof version was added, as well as a long wheelbase van and ten-seater Coach version. This was stretched by 33 cm between the front and side doors; LWB versions were never available with the A12 engine. Some versions received separate air conditioning outlets for the rear.
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In June 1980, the Coach version changed from the A14 to the larger (1,487 cc)A15 engine, offering 83 PS (61 kW).[6] There was also a luxurious SGL version of the Vanette Coach added, with an available sunroof and swivelling captain's chairs in the rear – both firsts for the segment in Japan. To indicate its luxurious nature, the SGL received double square headlights for a more modern appearance. In June 1981, theLD20 diesel engine was added, as was a 2-litre gasoline version (Z20) for the top-of-the-line SGX version.[6]
In 1981, Nissan introduced a smaller passenger vehicle which had sliding passenger doors on both sides of the vehicle, with conventional front doors, called theNissan Prairie, making the Vanette/Largo no longer the smallestcargo van offered.
In October 1982, minor changes occurred (along with the introduction of the bigger "Largo"). The dashboard was redesigned, while the base 'CT' model received front disc brakes, the optional air conditioning system was modernized, and an inexpensive 'FL' Coach version was added. In October 1983, a DX-A version was added, followed by modifications to the transmission carried out in August 1985. The following month, production of Van and Coach models ended as they were replaced by the C22 Vanette. The truck versions of the C120 Vanette remained in production (with light modifications carried out in August 1986) until September 1988.[6]
On February 3, 1986, Nissan and Daewoo signed an agreement where the latter would build the Vanette under a technical collaboration agreement. This was partly in response to the South Korean government's announcement that it would abolish restrictions on manufacturing certain vehicle types.[8] On May 3, 1987, the first Daewoo Vanette would be sold in South Korea.[9]
TheVanette Largo (GC120) was introduced in October 1982 and was a wider (by 90 mm, to stay just beneath the importantJapanese 1,700 mm tax threshold) and somewhat longer version. This was then developed into a cargo version built in Spain (by Nissan Ibérica), called theNissan/Datsun Vanette Cargo. This largely supplanted the smaller Vanette versions in European markets. Engines were theA15 andZ20 gasoline versions, accompanied by the dieselLD20 (also available turbocharged). The Spanish-built versions were originally intended to be built with a Spanish-madePerkins diesel motor but this did not materialize.[10] There was a minibus "Coach" version of the Largo as well, with a luxurious "Grand Saloon" version topping the range.
The Vanette Largo continued in production until a GC22 successor arrived, in May 1986. From this point, the Vanette name was dropped and the Largo became a separate, more luxurious model in its own right. In the Japanese market, the C120 vehicle was either marketed as the Datsun Vanette Largo or as a Nissan with the Cherry and Sunny prefixes. The Spanish C220 received a facelift and continued to be built into the 1990s, and was mostly sold in markets which hindered the import of Japanese-built vehicles.
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| Nissan Vanette (C22) | |
|---|---|
 1988–1994 Nissan Vanette (C22) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Nissan Largo Nissan Nomad (Australia)[11] Sanxing SXZ6440 (China) Yunbao YB6440 (China) Daewoo Vanette (South Korea) |
| Production | 1985–1994 1993–2001 (Philippines) 1997–2010 (Malaysia) |
| Assembly | Oppama Plant,Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan Zhanjiang,Guangdong, China (CKD) Santa Rosa City, Philippines (1993–2001) Segambut, Malaysia (TCMA) (1997–2010) |
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| Related | Ashok Leyland Dost |
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| Curb weight | 865–1,050 kg (1,907–2,315 lb) |
Five trim levels, four engine options, and two transmission options were available for the C22 Vanette COACH series launched in Japan.
A late-model update with enlarged version similar to the US-market Nissan Van was again sold in Japan as the Largo, until 1992 when the Serena-based Nissan Largo was launched.
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The Vanette would continue to be produced in South Korea under Daewoo up to 1992. It suffered from a poorly performing Isuzu 2.2-liter diesel engine which was used instead of the original Nissan engine.[12]
The Nissan C22 was modified for the United States market to compete in the burgeoning minivan segment, and also to compete with the similarly sizedToyota Van andMitsubishi Van. This van was sold as the "Nissan Van" for model years 1987 and 1988, where it was billed as a more affordable alternative toChrysler's minivans. Most of the vans were sold in theSun Belt states, particularlyCalifornia,Texas, andFlorida. To meet American consumers' preferences for features like air conditioning and highway capability, Nissan had to engineer its larger 2.4-literZ24i engine into the C22. The C22 was not originally designed for such a large engine, and the resulting tight quarters would later contribute to overheating and engine fire issues.[13]
In 1994, after four safety recalls did not end the engine fire problems, and with a class action lawsuit pending,[13] Nissan took the unprecedented step of recalling every Nissan Van sold in the US.[14] Van owners were offeredKelley Blue Book value or more for their van,[15] and most accepted, but a few opted to keep their vans. Critics argued that Nissan had been long aware of the problems with the vans (the first reports of fires appeared in 1987, shortly after they went on sale in the US), but did not take action for years, after which they had been replaced by the Nissan Quest. By the time of the recall in 1994, at least 135 fires had been reported, although none of them had resulted in deaths or injuries.[16] The class-action settlement offered discounts on the purchase of a new Nissan vehicle.[13] The vehicles which were recalled were crusheden masse.[15]
The Nissan Van was intended mainly as a stopgap for the North American market until a proper minivan could be introduced, and it was replaced by theNissan Quest in 1993, a vehicle designed in a joint venture with Ford.
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The C22 Nissan Vanette was built in Malaysia at the Tan Chong assembly plant in Segambut (Kuala Lumpur) until 2010.[17] After 13 years in production, it was the longest running model built in Malaysia.[2] There was a chassis cab, a truck, a panel van, and a window van version. Malaysian Vanettes have the venerable 1.5-liter pushrodA15 engine, with 82 PS (60 kW). While it has had a few facelifts over the years, the basic body was still the same. The 1980s interior is still intact.[1] Malaysia was the only place where the Vanette was built for many years, being exported from there to many other markets. After a brief hiatus, it was replaced by theNissan NV200, which retains the "Vanette" name in the Malaysian market.[2]
The Nissan Vanette was available in the Philippines until the end of 1999 as the Nissan Vanette Grand coach. In its final version it remains essentially the same Vanette as in previous years except for a different wheel design, upgraded seat materials and a faux wood trim dashboard. The sole engine available is theZ20 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Unlike in other Asian countries, no diesel variant was offered or available, which was an oversight on Nissan's part that could have made the difference in the van's popularity.
The C22 Vanette provided the basis forAshok Leyland's "Dost", the Indian truck manufacturer's first entry into this market segment.
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The third-generation Vanette is a rebadgedMazda Bongo, which is also rebadged as theFord Econovan andFord Spectron.
The fourth-generation Vanette is a rebadgedMazda Bongo. The successor of the Vanette van is theNissan NV200 Vanette.
