Nissan’s new CEO has a dream to bring back a true icon
- Nissan produced some of the most iconic cars of the modern era
- The Japanese brand brought the world the Skyline and the GT-R
- Incoming CEO Ivan Espinosa has a dream to revive one of their best
Published on Mar 13, 2025 at 9:58 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Mar 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Nissan is not exactly having a good time of things right now.
The Yokohama company has been in trouble since it failed to secure a merger with Honda.
It now has a new CEO, who’s truly being thrown in at the deep end.
And he has one card up his sleeve to save the Japanese company.
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Nissan: Legendary models of cars
If you’re even remotely a car fan, then you know Nissan.
The Japanese company is known for producing some of the best and most iconic cars of the recent age.
It’s responsible for the Datsun 240Z, which helped establish Nissan as a major player in the car world.
Their Skyline series – the R32, R33, and R34 – all remain massively revered and beloved by car enthusiasts around the globe.

And the Nissan GT-R – R35 – the skyline’s spiritual successor, received rave reviews as well.
Unfortunately, the company has suffered less than good fortune in recent times.
A brand in turmoil
Over the last year or so, Nissan and fellow Japanese giants Honda have been in talks.
But they haven’t been in just any talks – they’ve been in talks over a merger.
The two brands, along with Mitsubishi, could have formed an automotive group worth $60 billion.
Unfortunately, the deal fell through, as the companies could not agree on final terms.
The collapse of the merger led to Nissan ousting their then-CEO, Makoto Uchida.
Uchida is set to be replaced by Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer, Ivan Espinosa.
And the man tasked with saving the Japanese company has a dream solution.
Could the Silvia be revived?
The Nissan Silvia is an icon of Japanese car culture.
The 1990s are considered by many to be the peak of Japanese car culture.
And the Nissan Silvia is one of the most iconic models from that era.
Ironically, the car was first built in 1964, on Nissan’s “S” platform.
The S13, S14 and S15 generation Silvia remains very popular and appreciated by car enthusiasts.
Its rear-wheel drive platform, as well as its 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-4 engine, made it perfect for drifters and other car fans.

And now, incoming CEO Ivan Espinosa confirmed it is his ‘dream’ to revive the Sylvia.
In an interview last year with Top Gear, Espinosa referred to it as a ‘far-fetched idea’.
“As soon as I say the name, people start nodding,” Espinosa also noted.
We’re not entirely sure how likely the prospect of a new Silvia is, but we are certainly supportive of the idea.
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Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.