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Vale ‘Mr K’: Father Of Nissan’s Z Car Dies At 105

Yutaka Katayama, the first president of Nissan’s US arm and ‘the father’ of the legendary Z car, has died after an incredible innings of 105. Known affectionately as ‘Mr. K’, Katayama was born in Japan’s Shizuoka Pre


Yutaka Katayama, the first president of Nissan’s US arm and ‘the father’ of the legendary Z car, has died after an incredible innings of 105.

Known affectionately as ‘Mr. K’, Katayama was born in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture in 1909 and joined Nissan in 1935.

Serving with the company through World War II, Mr. K was later sent to the US for market research - a step he described as “exile” for fighting with management and unions back home.

The move proved pivotal for Katayama, however, eventually heading back to the US in the 60s after convincing his conservative Japanese bosses to expand.

Launched there as Datsun, the company began to import early Fairlady roadster models under the ‘Sports’ name.

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