The Nissan Maxima is a full-size car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, and China — and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810. The name Maxima dates to model year 1981 when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the 810 Maxima in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out for model year 1985. The Maxima was marketed as an upscale alternative to the Altima and prior to 1993, the Stanza, distinguished by features such as a premium interior and V6 engine. Most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until North American assembly began in Smyrna, Tennessee for model year 2004. In some markets beyond North America, the Maxima name has also been used on variations of the Nissan Cefiro and Teana (see below). The Maxima nameplate has been used intermittently in the Japanese domestic market, initially as a luxury version of the Bluebird. First generation (G910; 1981) The first car to wear the Maxima name, the second generation Datsun 810, was introduced in 1980 for model year 1981. It was essentially a Japanese-market Datsun Bluebird (910) with the wheelbase extended to accommodate the inline-six engine. This model replaced the Datsun 810 (first generation). The second generation Datsun 810 was not marketed in Japan, only in North America as the lower trim Datsun 810 Deluxe and upper trim 810 Maxima. Both were available with either sedan or wagon bodywork. In 1981 for the 1982 model year, all 810s were rebranded as Datsun Maxima. In 1983 for model year 1984, the last year of the first generation Maxima, North American Datsuns began carrying the "Nissan" badge as well. Only 1984 model year Nissans have rear "Nissan" and "Datsun" badges, although earlier models had a "Datsun" badge with a small "by Nissan" designation below. For the first model year, the 810 Deluxe came with a five-speed manual transmission, while the upper trim 810 Maxima only came with a three-speed automatic. The Maxima's introduction to North America followed the successful introduction of the Datsun 240Z, and used the same engine and transmission while offering luxury content four doors. The sedans have independent rear suspension