Nissan Celebrates 60 Years in Canada

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

The team at Nissan celebrating 60 years in Canada. Nissan was the first Japanese-based automaker to incorporate in Canada in 1965. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

At its inception in Vancouver (BC) on January 21, 1965, Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) became one of the first Japanese carmakers to incorporate a Canadian subsidiary. NCI recognized this milestone by celebrating its 60th anniversary in Canada with an exciting line-up of vehicles at the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow earlier this year.

“We are incredibly proud of our 60-year legacy in Canada,” said Trevor Longley, president of NCI. “Our journey from a small team of six to a leading automotive brand is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our employees, dealers, and loyal customers. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to delivering exceptional vehicles that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Happy Anniversary to Nissan Canada Inc.

NCI is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America, Inc. NCI was the first Japanese-based automaker to incorporate in Canada in 1965, and now directly employs 306 full-time staff across offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC). There are 210 independent Nissan dealerships, including 87 that also act as Nissan Commercial vehicle dealers, 136 electric vehicle-certified dealers, and 39 INFINITI retailers across Canada.

With a revamped design, the all-new 2025 Nissan Kicks, Murano and Armada were on display at the Canadian International AutoShow, alongside Project Trailgater and Frontier TARMAC Concept, two project builds that showcase four-wheeled products.

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

A picture of Morrey Nissan of Burnaby in the early 1980s. NCI was the first Japanese-based automaker to incorporate in Canada in 1965. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

Brent Smith, Director of Marketing at NCI told the crowd that the organization was thrilled to be part of the 2025 Canadian International AutoShow to celebrate 60 years in Canada.

“This milestone is a testament to our long-standing commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,” said Smith, who explained NCI showcased two project vehicles derived from the Nissan Frontier and which showcase just how versatile our offerings are. “We displayed three all-new models – the Nissan Kicks, Murano, and Armada. These vehicles, along with our full lineup, reflect our dedication to offering a diverse range of features and options tailored to the Canadian market. We look forward to engaging with families and enthusiasts, and sharing our vision.”

Throughout the years, NCI has been marketing a broad range of economic, family-friendly, sports, and luxury cars, appealing to a wide Canadian customer base that love vacationing on the road. NCI introduced a variety of successful vehicles in Canada that helped impact and, at times, shape the automotive scene, like the GT-R, Z, J30, G35, Sentra, Altima, Maxima, Xterra, Pathfinder, Murano, and Rogue.

“Canadians have a strong affinity for travel and road trips, enjoying the freedom and adventure of exploring our country’s vast and diverse landscapes,” says Douâa Jazouli – Manager, Product & Technology Communications and Corporate Communications. “At Nissan, we recognize this passion and are proud to offer vehicles that are well-suited for these journeys. Whether navigating the Rockies or cruising along the scenic coastal roads, Nissan vehicles provide the reliability, comfort, and advanced features that make every road trip memorable.”

With tariffs in effect and the cost of travel getting steeper, many Canadians will opt to keep their vacations close to home. Here are a few NCI models that we think will serve the Canuck road warrior well in 2025.

All-new 2025 Nissan Armada

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

Building on a legacy of capability, the all-new 2025 Nissan Armada underwent a significant transformation that enhances on-road comfort, ushers in greater levels of craftsmanship, seamlessly incorporates the latest technologies and opens new off-road frontiers with the nameplate’s first PRO-4X grade. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

The 2025 Nissan Armada  features a new adventure ready design with a strong presence and higher ground clearance. Defined with strong proportions and finely crafted details, the 2025 Armada encompasses high-quality elements like an available full-width LED tail light, available 22-inch wheels and optional two-tone roof treatments offering a sense of refinement to the SUV’s tough and robust stance. The PRO-4X trim features all-terrain tires, an increased approach angle, underbody skid plates, an electronic locking differential and Adaptive Electronic Air Suspension –  helping drivers enjoy more of what they love in the great outdoors.

Nissan Pathfinder

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

With its spacious interior, powerful engine, and off-road capabilities, the Pathfinder is perfect for those seeking adventure on and off the beaten path. Helping enable road trips and adventures, the Pathfinder delivers impressive towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds for the S grade. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

The Nissan Pathfinder is another family favourite helping elevate their adventures, with seating for up to eight, an available Rock Creek grade for rugged adventures beyond the pavement and the premium Platinum grade for a more luxurious road trip experience. It also features off-road-tuned suspension, unique 18-inch beadlock-style wheels with all-terrain tires, a tubular roof rack with a 220-pound capacity and Intelligent Around View® Monitor with Off-Road Mode.

Nissan Rogue

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

The 2025 Rogue is the first vehicle in the Nissan Canada lineup with available ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which utilizes Google built-in and builds on the company’s goal of making its most advanced mobility technology accessible on its popular models. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

The Nissan Rogue is also ready for adventure both on and off the open highway. With the introduction of ProPILOT Assist 2.1 driver assistance technology, optional on Rogue Platinum, the system allows attentive drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel in single-lane freeway operation as it handles acceleration, steering assistance and braking. The Nissan Rogue easily accommodates everyday life with ample cargo space and thoughtful storage solutions.

Frontier

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

Right-sized pickup adds more towing capacity, greater availability of long-bed configuration, larger infotainment screen and standard safety tech. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

The Frontier is the unstoppable adventure partner. Built on Nissan‘s six-plus decades of mid-size truck leadership, the Frontier delivers the power, capability, utility, maneuverability and technology that drivers expect. Equipped with a rugged, modern exterior, utility-focused interior and the latest technologies, the Frontier is the perfect fit for all adventures. The PRO-4X and PRO-4X Luxury grades cater to buyers heading beyond, with all-terrain tires, Bilstein off-road suspension components, and a rugged appearance with over-fenders and Lava Red tow hooks. Frontier also boasts an increased maximum trailering capacity of up to 6,850 pounds.

Project Trailgater

Canada, Nissan, Ontario

This one-off project vehicle takes game day to the next level by combining the fun of tailgating with the great outdoors, built in partnership with PowerNation TV’s “Music City Trucks.” The vehicle is based on the adventure-packed 2025 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X. (Photos Courtesy Nissan Canada)

The Nissan Frontier is designed to enable passionate owners to pursue their hobbies and interests with confidence, and Project Trailgater was created with sports fans hoping to catch the game outside of their living room in mind.

Project Trailgater is based on the 2025 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X. For the 2025 model year, the midsize pickup was refreshed to enhance its rugged style, add more intuitive technology and enhance its everyday utility. The visual refresh includes a new front fascia and new wheels for the PRO-X/PRO-4X grades, while utility is enhanced with greater availability of the long-wheelbase, 6-foot bed configuration on PRO-4X and SL grades.

MORE ABOUT NISSAN CANADA INC.

Website: www.nissan.ca

Canadian International AutoShow: autoshow.ca

Rod has previously worked for Canoe.ca and is currently freelancing for Huffington Post Travel. He’s also written travel articles for the Toronto Star and Up! Magazine. Living in Toronto but raised in the small central Ontario village of Holstein, Rod is a country boy at heart who has never met a farmer’s market he didn’t like.