Nissan Wants To Make Peyton Manning a Titan

Nissan Titan or Tennessee Titans...the truck's manufacturer, Nissan North America, is hoping NFL free agent Peyton Manning will take a shine to both. As Manning has been making the rounds visiting with potential teams to play for next year, Nissan has offered a 2012 Nissan Titan Pro-4X pickup truck to Manning regardless of which team he chooses.

With the Nashville based Tennessee Titans in the running as a landing spot for quarterback Peyton Manning, Nissan of North America, which has it's U.S. headquarters in Nashville, appears to be suiting up for the "home team" on behalf of its employees and football fans in the region. The Nissan Titan's V-8 engine is built in Tennessee and many of those fans have fond memories of the years that Manning played his college football at the University of Tennessee. After being released from the Indianapolis Colts, Manning is expected to make his decision on a team sometime next week.  Also reported to be on the short list are the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers.

As good a brand as the Nissan is, it's doubtful a $30,000 - $40,000 truck is going to weigh heavily in the decision, but hats off to the Nissan marketing department on this one.

Here is the open letter from Nissan:


Dear Peyton,


We hope it’s okay to be informal and call you Peyton. You’ve been like one of the family to sports fans, especially Tennesseans, since your record-setting college days at the University of Tennessee.


Like you, we at Nissan North America were not all born to Rocky Top. But it is now home to our corporate headquarters and three manufacturing facilities employing more than 6,000 Tennesseans.


At Nissan, we too have fans all over the U.S.A. and we appreciate them all. And like all of your fans, we’re awaiting your decision on where to play next season. While we are in no position to sign you to any particular NFL franchise, we at Nissan North America want to make you a Titan – a 2012 Nissan Titan – as a gesture of gratitude recognizing your great accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to our national community.


We extend this offer on behalf of a nation of football fans and Nissan fans, not necessarily to influence your decision. So next time you’re in Nashville, give us a call and we’ll bring the keys.


Sincerely,
Nissan North America


UPDATE:  Word came shortly after this post went up that Peyton Manning has picked the Denver Broncos!