The 1960s was just the beginning of a craze where people needed to seek other ways to have fun. The former military "Jeeps" were the way to get across the desert, deep into the woods, or up into the mountains.
It took a while, but the 2021 Nissan Rogue arrived after months of teasing, revealing, and advanced social media marketing. Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has something to do with this wait. As we know over the years, some things are definitely worth the wait.
That is a 50-year old question that has scratched the heads of those of us who lament and laugh of these cars. In particular, how do we map the advent of a new class of American car to today’s automobiles?
The year 1977 was a watershed moment in the automotive industry. The OPEC Oil Crisis was already over. However, the lessons learned from the crisis began to trickle down into the products North American automakers rolled out.
TweetIf you asked me in 1982 – the year I graduated high school – what I wanted to be when I grew up, you would not to be surprised by my response. I was all set to get into broadcasting. Since I could not get into California State University Northridge's Radio-Television-Film program immediately out of …
Translation: Japanese cars were thought of as cheap tin boxes that would never make it through a Minnesota winter. That was the mentality of the American consumer until the last couple of decades. It does help that several Japanese automakers set up shop building vehicles on our soil to change our collective minds.
The turn of the 1970s was a time of transition. It was clear that Richard Nixon wasn't going anywhere. His administration oversaw the first landing on the moon by human beings, but the escalating war in Vietnam dogged his leadership. In 1968, many thought Nixon was the peace candidate for President. He would end up sending more USA troops into Southeast Asia.
The unveiling of the Z Proto was proof that Nissan was committed to the continuation of a legacy. A legacy that cemented the intentions of the Yokohama-based company to be a different kind of automaker. Different, as in showing a sporty side and making it their focus at a time when vehicles from Japan were attracting global customers in increasing numbers.
It is that double-edged sword that entices us to import older Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Nissan Skyline GT-Rs. However, this importation business penalizes us with prices that are higher than market levels. Someone is profiting from our desire to get something we wanted badly some three decades before.
I always had high hopes for the Nissan Pathfinder. Then again, I always had high hopes for Nissan. That cut on the chin was there because the dealers that have sold them for years are not happy with the product they had to sell.