Nissan results for June and the first half of CY2001

Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. reported today production, sales and export figures for June and the first half of 2001.  For the month, global production declined 10.0%, while total unit sales for the three main regions, including Japan, North America and Europe were down 3.9%.  For the first half of 2001, global production was down 3.2%, while total unit sales for the three main regions decreased by 1.8%.

Production

Nissan's global production in June declined for the fifth straight month to 213,502, down 10.0% from a year ago.

Domestic production in June was 106,714 units, down 12.8% from a year ago, mainly due to decreased export to North America and Europe.  However, production for the domestic market increased to meet the strong demand of new vehicles launched this year, including the new Skyline.

Nissan's overseas production in June 2001 totaled 106,788 units, down 7.7% from June 2000.

Production in the U.S. increased 8.4%, with strong Altima production compared to last year.  Mexican production fell 19.7% as the company reduced production due to the uncertain outlook for the U.S. economy.  In Europe, UK production fell 9.3% due to the lower demand for key volume vehicles, while Spain grew 3.8% to meet strong demand for the Almera Tino which was launched one year ago.

In other regions production decreased 21.7% in June, with production in Taiwan down due to a slowing economy.

For the past six months, Nissan's global production decreased 3.2% to 1,254,646 compared to the same period of 2000.
Domestic production for the first half of 2001 was 634,599, down 6.5% from the same period of 2000.  The decrease was a result of decreased exports, mainly to the U.S. and Europe, although production for domestic sales grew slightly from last year.

For the past six months, production in the U.S. decreased 17.1% from last year, while Mexican production increased 14.8%.  UK production was stable, with a slight drop of 1.1%, and Spain jumped 42.2% from the same period of last year with the addition of the Almera Tino.

Sales

Nissan's domestic sales for June 2001 rose 1.1% to 62,576 units, marking the 7th consecutive month of year-on-year increase.  Sales were strong for the Liberty which has undergone recent minor change, as well as the new models launched after NRP.  Additionally, the Skyline launched in June had a strong reception, with 6,400 orders as of July 18, one month after the launch.  Nissan's domestic market share was 17.1%, a 0.6 point increase from last year.

Nissan's sales in the U.S. declined by 5.0% from June 2000 as the market remained slow.  Nissan continues to hold incentives low despite aggressive competition in many segments.  In the face of a tough sedan market, both Altima and Sentra sales were strong.  Sales in Canada increased 8.4%, driven by strong demand for the Sentra, and Mexico remained solid, with sales volume even with last year's level.

Nissan's sales in Europe decreased by 10.3%.  Despite the continuing strong demand of Almera Tino, sales for the key volume models were slow, mainly due to continued weak demand in Germany.

For the past six months, Nissan's domestic sales rose 1.9% to 395,889 units from the same period of 2000, representing the first year-on-year increase in 5 years.  Nissan's domestic market share was 18.5%, a 0.1 point increase from the same period last year.

Exports from Japan
Nissan's exports in June 2001 decreased 30.0% to 42,068 units.  Exports to the Middle East were strong, particularly with the strong sales of the Patrol, which has undergone a minor model change.  The overall decline is due primarily to the continued slow market in the U.S., and Nissan's ongoing policy of producing vehicles in the markets where they are sold.

For the past six months, Nissan's exports decreased 19.5% to 247,854 units, marking the third consecutive year-on-year decrease, as Nissan implemented its policy to localize production to be more flexible to market demand and to reduce currency fluctuations. 

Nissan Results for June and the First Half of CY2001

Global Production by Country

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

Global Unit Sales by Main Market (Region)

*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 June is -5.0%.
     Nissan Division: 57,868units
     Infiniti Division:    5,876 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

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