#Datsunlove winner set for Tokyo experience

Nostalgia and love are what most of us feel when thinking about our first cars. Our minds flash back to that purchase, the experience of settling behind the wheel and that magical moment when the engine sprang to life. As the key turned, so our personal horizons expanded. The new car meant freedom, mobility and the chance to explore.

It’s a feeling, says Datsun South Africa that cuts across generations and applies especially to the Datsun brand, which has a proud history of introducing affordable car ownership, and the opportunities that mobility brings, to thousands of South Africans.

Datsun ownership often turns into ‘Datsunlove’ – an enchantment that lasts for years.

So, when Datsun owners of all generations were asked to help celebrate the milestone of 200 000 global sales since reintroduction a few short years ago, it was natural that South African buyers – some of the greatest Datsun fans on earth – would jump at the chance to showcase their beloved Datsuns, by way of a poster competition.

Their overwhelming sentiments were on display for all to see on social media.

The most common word used to describe the various rides was ‘baby’- appropriate enough when you consider just how pampered most of the cars have become. Then, of course, there were the brave souls; one buyer proclaimed: ‘Best Day of my Life! – Second Best Day My Wedding Day’ when describing buying his Datsun GO. Another pictured a mother’s two children and her Datsun GO, describing all three as ‘my babies’.

“We were delighted with the response to the #Datsunlove competition, which reinforced the fact that more than 11 500 South Africans have joined the global Datsun family since the brand was reintroduced here in 2014. The enthusiasm and love for their cars shone through in every entry,” says Des Fenner, General Manager of Datsun South Africa.

“Unfortunately, there can only be one overall winner. A lucky Desireen Govinder from Midrand, Gauteng, will soon be flying off to Japan with a partner to visit the Zama Heritage Garage in Tokyo.”

“This is a rare honour as visits to the Zama Heritage Garage are by invitation only. Desireen will be one of the few South Africans to enter the Garage on the grounds of Nissan’s Oppama Motor Plant. Also known as the Nissan DNA Museum, the cars in the Garage track the history of Datsun from the early 1900s and offers visitors a glimpse of some of the most legendary cars ever to emerge from the Datsun factory.”

“Congratulations Desireen. Your poster showing off your new Datsun GO, the obvious excitement on your face and your caption: ‘For the love of my car! The very 1st one too’ embodied everything about the Datsun GO that South Africans have embraced since sales of the vehicle began in South Africa two years ago.”

Other #Datsunlove winners were:

• Themba Vilakazi of Gauteng who claimed the second prize of a local Datsun experience; and
• Annalicia Venter of Pretoria, with the third prize of a shopping spree.

“May your ‘Datsunlove’ continue into your motoring future,” says Des Fenner.