Nissan announces production, sales and export results for February 2004

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, sales and export figures for February. Nissan's global production recorded its highest level ever for the month of February helped by rising overseas production. While domestic registrations fell hurt by falling sales of the March model, sales in the U.S. and Europe advanced. Exports, meanwhile, dropped slightly hurt by falling shipments to North America.

Production

Nissan's global production in February rose 14.5% over the same month a year earlier to a record 285,167 units for the month, helped mainly by rising overseas production. Overseas production was also at a record high for the month of February.

In Japan, output for the month edged up 0.2% to 139,019 units due to the continued popularity of the Cube brand, comprising the Cube released in October 2002 and the Cube Cubic rolled out last September. Production of the model jumped 18.7% to 15,331 units.

Overseas production in February surged 32.6% from a year ago to 146,148 units as output in the U.S. soared 104.4% to 62,885 units. Output in the U.S. was propelled by full-scale production of the new Quest minivan, the Armada sport utility vehicle (SUV) and the Titan pickup truck, as well as by the start of production of the new Infiniti QX56 full-sized luxury SUV that is scheduled for release this spring. In Mexico, production dipped a slight 0.3% to 26,018 units.

In Europe, robust sales of the Micra (March in Japan) pushed production in the U.K. up 1.3% to 28,572 units. Output in Spain also rose, growing 23.9% to 11,623 units, thanks in large part to higher sales of the Primastar commercial vehicle.

Sales

Nissan's domestic registrations in February were off 2.6% from a year ago to 75,938 units. The Cube brand, including the Cube Cubic that debuted in September last year, continued to put in a strong performance, rising 28.1% to 16,818 units, making it the second best-selling passenger car in Japan for the second consecutive month. However, lower sales of the March released in March 2002, pushed down overall registrations slightly. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in February dipped 0.2 point from a year ago to 21%.

Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, however, rose 1.3% to 82,100 units. The new Moco that was rolled out in February following a minor model change recorded sales of 4,249 units, up 38.2% compared with a year earlier. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's domestic market share in February edged down 0.1 point to 15.3%.

In the U.S., sales jumped 46.1% over the same month last year to 74,836 units helped by strong Nissan brand and Infiniti sales. Nissan brand sales soared 50.9% to 65,324 units, driven by higher sales volumes for the Altima and Murano, among other models. Sales at Nissan's Infiniti luxury division increased 19.9% to 9,512 units, thanks mainly to strong demand for the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) and the Infiniti FX45/FX35. In Canada, however, sales dropped 2.5% to 4,681 units, and sales in Mexico were also lower, down 8.2% to 17,639 units.

In Europe, sales rose 3.8% to 37,088 units, owing to increased sales of the Micra, the X‑TRAIL exported from Japan and the 350Z (Fairlady Z in Japan) that was launched in the European market last September.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in February fell 1.5% from a year earlier to 59,698 units hurt by lower shipments to North America.

Shipments to North America dropped 30% to 19,061 units, due largely to lower exports of the Infiniti FX45/FX35 and Murano. Although shipments of these models were down compared to the time when they were first exported, their overall sales volumes in the North American market remained firm.

Exports to Europe rose 4.7% to 10,196 units, thanks to increased shipments of the popular X‑TRAIL.

Shipments to other regions also advanced. Exports to Latin America climbed 16.6% to 5,140 units, exports to Oceania rose 6.6% to 5,429 units and exports to Asia soared 68% to 10,872 units. Exports to China alone jumped 135.4% to 5,585 units, propelled by strong sales of the new Sunny.

Global Production by Country

*1 Others include production in Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Indonesia and China excluding CKD production.  

Global Unit Sales by Main Market (Region)

*2 Japan sales are categorized into passenger cars and commercial vehicles based on chassis.       
*3 U.S. sales are based on retail including Hawaii.       
     DSR (daily selling rate)-adjusted year-on-year change in Feb. is +46.1%.       
     Nissan Division:  65,324 units       
     Infiniti Division:      9,512 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 including Turkey and Israel from the May 2002 results.       

Vehicle Exports from Japan

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