nissan
n. countablen. a well-known Japanese brand that makes cars, trucks, and SUVs. You see this name on many vehicles on the road today.
n. a major Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama. When used in general discourse, it refers to a vehicle produced by this company.
He drives a silver Nissan to work every day.
The family decided to buy a new Nissan because of its reputation for fuel efficiency and safety.
Market analysts observed that Nissan significantly expanded its global footprint by forming a strategic alliance with other major European manufacturers to share technology and production platforms.
When referring to the company, it is treated as a proper noun; when referring to a specific car, it is a countable common noun.