Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. reported today production, sales and export figures for May 2001. For the month, global production was down 6.1% while total unit sales for the three main regions of Japan, North America and Europe were slightly down 1.8%.
1. Production
Nissan's global production in May was down 6.1% from a year ago to 201,741, marking the 4th consecutive year-on-year decrease.
Domestic production totaled 92,889, down 6.3% from a year ago due to decreased export mainly to North America and Europe, while production focused on the recently launched models in Japan.
Nissan's overseas production in May 2001 totaled 108,852 units, down 5.9% from May 2000.
Production in the U.S. fell 19.3% from last year due to decreased demand for the light trucks. Mexican production grew by 2.9% led by a strong pace of sales for the Sentra to domestic and North American markets. UK saw a drop of 6.3% in production due to the slow sales for the passenger cars, while Spain achieved a 31.8% increase driven by strong demand for new product.
In other regions production decreased 23.1% during May, with production in Taiwan down due to a slow economy and intense competition among automakers.
2. Sales
Nissan's domestic sales for May 2001 rose 6.7% to 51,243 units, marking the 6th consecutive year-on-year increase. Sales were strong for the Liberty, Sunny and March, all of which had recent minor changes, in addition to the new models, the Primera, Cima, X‑TRAIL and Bluebird Sylphy. Nissan's domestic market share was 17.7%, a 0.9 point increase compared to last year.
Nissan's sales in the U.S. declined by 6.9% from May 2000, as incentive competition grew more intense, particularly in the segments such as light trucks and SUVs, while sales for the Sentra continued to be solid. Canada and Mexico saw sales increase of 9.9% and 10.7% respectively, both driven by strong demand for the Sentra.
Nissan's sales in Europe decreased by 7.7%, affected by slow sales in Germany where total industry volume was down 10.4% from May 2000.
3. Exports
Nissan's exports in May 2001 decreased 29.7% to 33,608 units, as Nissan kept its effort to localize production to be more flexible to market demand and to reduce currency fluctuations. However, exports to the Middle East were strong, particularly for the Sunny, which was up 81.2% from last year.
Global Production by Country
| May 2001 |
Year-on-year Change |
Jan. 2001- May 2001 |
Year-on-year Change |
|||
| Passenger Cars | 79,660 | -5.6% | 459,612 | -4.2% | ||
| Commercial Vehicles | 13,229 | -10.4% | 68,273 | -11.4% | ||
| Production in Japan | 92,889 | -6.3% | 527,885 | -5.2% | ||
| U.S. | 29,490 | -19.3% | 128,259 | -21.4% | ||
| Mexico | 27,715 | +2.9% | 136,044 | +24.5% | ||
| U.K. | 27,699 | -6.3% | 136,023 | +0.9% | ||
| Spain | 15,120 | +31.8% | 70,526 | +53.4% | ||
| Others | 8,828 | -23.1% | 43,263 | -15.2% | ||
| Overseas Production | 108,852 | -5.9% | 514,115 | +1.9% | ||
| Global Production | 201,741 | -6.1% | 1,042,000 | -1.8% | ||
*1 Others include production in Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines and South Africa, excluding CKD production.
Global Unit Sales by Main Market (Region)
| May 2001 |
Year-on-year Change |
Jan. 2001- May 2001 |
Year-on-year Change |
||
| Passenger Cars | 33,808 | +4.4% | 222,220 | -3.3% | |
| Commercial Vehicles | 17,435 | +11.7% | 111,093 | +14.6% | |
| Japan | 51,243 | +6.7% | 333,313 | +2.0% | |
| U.S. | 63,042 | -6.9% | 287,772 | -7.2% | |
| Canada | 5,819 | +9.9% | 21,.348 | +16.9% | |
| Mexico | 13,927 | +10.7% | 75,301 | +16.9% | |
| North America | 82,860 | -3.3% | 348,915 | -2.2% | |
| Europ | 45,358 | -7.7% | 226,447 | -4.9% | |
*2 Japan sales are based on registrations including vehicles manufactured overseas and excluding mini-cars.
*3 U.S. sales are based on retail including Hawaii.
DSR (daily selling rate)-adjusted year-on-year change in April is -6.9%.
Nissan Division: 57,334units
Infiniti Division: 5,708 units
*4 Canada and Mexico sales are based on retail.
*5 North America sales are based on retail including Guam, Saipan and other islands.
*6 Europe sales are based on retail in the whole Europe.
Vehicle Exports from Japan
| May 2001 |
Year-on-year Change |
Jan. 2001- May 2001 |
Year-on-year Change |
||
| Passenger Cars | 28,419 | -29.9% | 175,280 | -16.8% | |
| Commercial Vehicles | 5,189 | -29.0% | 30,506 | -17.5% | |
| Total Exports from Japan | 33,608 | -29.7% | 205,786 | -16.9% | |
# # #