More than half a century ago Nobushige Wakatsuki, known within the company as "Crazy Nobe," suggested Nissan sell its vehicles in the United States. The executives said no, but Wakatsuki would not be deterred, finally going ahead without corporate permission and starting a solo marketing effort in California. Consequently, Wakatsuki, who died on November 13 at age 81, is credited with bringing the Nissan brand to America.

At age 29, Wakatsuki was actually employed as a manager with a trading firm, Marubeni Corp. He lobbied for his U.S. idea with Nissan's management board even though he was a company outsider. The first cars he brought to Los Angeles were sold through his own efforts, and Nissan did not come on board officially until 1960. Its cars have been sold in this county under the Datsun, Nissan, and Infiniti brands.

In a 2008 interview with Automotive News, Wakatsuki said, "When I would try to talk to people at Nissan about selling cars in the United States, they would look at each other and then get up and leave the room. They thought I was crazy. They told me I didn't know what I was talking about. It was very humiliating to me."

In 2008, Nissan sold 951,350 cars and trucks in this country, more than vindicating Wakatsuki's vision. The first year they were offered for sale, however, in 1958, only 83 units sold.