Was the Sylphy previously called the Bluebird?
2 Answers
Sylphy is the all-new generation model of the Bluebird, but it is not the actual Bluebird. Here are relevant details about the Bluebird: 1. Origin: The Nissan Bluebird is a sedan series launched by Nissan in 1959. Along with the Toyota Crown and Corolla series, the Nissan Bluebird became a main force for Japanese cars entering the US market and is also the model series with the longest production cycle and highest cumulative production volume in Nissan's history. 2. Relationship: The Sylphy was originally a brand-new global model developed by Nissan, with the English name Bluebird-Sylphy, serving as the all-new generation of the Bluebird. When officially introduced for domestic production in China, it was named Sylphy to distinguish it from the existing Bluebird model.
Yes, the Sylphy was indeed the successor to the Bluebird, but it didn't directly inherit the Bluebird name. I drove a Bluebird back in my younger days, during the late 1990s to early 2000s—it was a classic model, sturdy and reliable, with Nissan's down-to-earth design. Then around 2006, Nissan launched the Sylphy, which inherited the Bluebird's chassis and powertrain. Essentially, it was a newer version of the Bluebird, but with a more modern-sounding name. Some veteran drivers still miss the Bluebird's clean lines, saying the Sylphy feels more contemporary, though the chassis and fundamentals remain largely the same. There was a bit of a stir during the transition—some folks who had just bought a Bluebird were bummed to find the model discontinued. Truth is, the Sylphy is still around today, carrying on the Bluebird's legacy of fuel efficiency and affordability. If you're into Nissan's history, this is a fun little tidbit. That's just how brand strategies work—phasing out old names for fresh ones to keep up with market trends and avoid models becoming outdated too quickly.
