Nissan Motor Co. founded in Yokohama as DAT Jidosha Seizo — adopts Nissan name in 1934; alliance with Renault formed 1999 under Carlos Ghosn rescuing Nissan from near-bankruptcy.

Nissan launches Tama EV — a battery-powered post-war commercial vehicle for Japan's gasoline-rationed era; ~1,100 units produced before lead-acid battery limitations and post-war fuel availability ended the program.

Unveils LEAF as the world's first series-produced battery EV — redefining mass-market electric mobility and establishing Nissan-Renault as the global EV leader of the early 2010s.

First-generation LEAF customer deliveries begin in Japan and U.S. — the first mass-market BEV in modern history at $32K starting price; through 2013 LEAF leads global BEV sales.

Second-generation LEAF launches with 40 kWh/150-mile range and ProPILOT driver assist — but Nissan loses early EV-leadership momentum to Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt.

Carlos Ghosn arrested in Tokyo on financial misconduct charges — triggering corporate-governance crisis that derails Nissan's EV strategy execution and weakens the Renault Alliance for years.

Unveils Ariya — Nissan's first dedicated next-gen EV crossover on the new CMF-EV platform shared with Renault; the model is intended to mark Nissan's BEV recovery after the LEAF era.

500,000th LEAF rolls off assembly line on World EV Day — the model remains a global EV pioneer for a decade; cumulative LEAF sales make it the best-selling EV ever at the time.

Ariya enters production in Tochigi, Japan — deliveries begin in domestic and select export markets; the Ariya ramp is delayed by chip shortages and software issues.

Announces 'Arc' plan with 30 new EV/electrified models by 2030 — pulls forward all-solid-state battery production targets to 2028; Nissan's third major electrification reset since 2017.

Cuts 9,000 jobs and 20% of global production capacity amid plunging China and U.S. EV/hybrid sales — Nissan's sharpest cost-cut since the 2008 financial crisis and a public admission of EV-strategy struggle.

Signs MOU with Honda to explore merger by 2026 — intended to combine EV R&D against BYD/Tesla; would have created the world's third-largest automaker by volume.

Honda merger talks collapse over governance and Nissan-as-subsidiary structure — Nissan continues alone; CEO Makoto Uchida resigns later in March 2025 with Ivan Espinosa named successor.