Nissan production and sales results for January 2002

Tokyo - Nissan Motor Company reported today production, sales and export figures for January 2002.  For the month, global production decreased 0.6%, while total unit sales for the three main regions including Japan, North America and Europe realized a slight increase of 2.1%.

Production

Nissan's global production in January decreased to 203,760, slightly down 0.6% from a year ago.  Despite a sharp rise in U.S. production and a 26.3% increase in commercial vehicles production in Japan, the company saw its third consecutive year-on-year decrease in production for the month.

Domestic production in January totaled 95,403 units, a small decrease of 0.7% from a year ago as production for the March declined 56.6% as Nissan prepared the Oppama plant for the launch of the new March coming to market in March.  This decrease was in part offset by increased production of models for export including the new X‑TRAIL recently launched in overseas markets.

Total overseas production in January totaled 108,357 units, down 0.5% from January 2001.

In North America, U.S. production increased 37.7%, with the all-new Altima nearly double last year's production volume.  In Mexico, production was up 3.2%.

In Europe, UK production decreased 16.7% as Nissan began to ramp up production for the upcoming Primera, and due to lower demand for key volume vehicles.  Spain production fell 59.5%.

In other regions production increased 18.4% in January, representing the first year-on-year increase in 11 months.

Sales

Nissan's domestic sales for January decreased 2.9% to 48,556 units in a market down 2.5%.  The company's market share dropped by 0.1% compared to last year to 19.5%.  Despite the sluggish market, Nissan saw increased sales for recently launched and redesigned models such as the Wingroad, which doubled its volume compared to last year.

Nissan's sales in the U.S. increased 8.0% from January 2001, representing the fourth consecutive year-on-year increase.   Despite a decrease in truck sales, the increase was driven by the strong launch of the all-new Altima, up 28.3%, and Maxima, up 36.4% over last year.  Sales in Canada jumped 50.2%, where both the Altima and Sentra saw strong performance.  And in Mexico, sales jumped 24.9% compared to last year.

In a competitive market, Nissan's sales in Europe fell by 11.5% from January 2001.  Despite a strong launch for the X‑TRAIL, sales declined as Primera was at the final stages of sell down of the current model.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in January decreased 3.5% to 40,898 units, representing the first year-on-year decrease in four months.  Exports of the recently launched X‑TRAIL in the overseas markets and pickup truck for the Middle East market were strong.  However, as the company continues its efforts to globally manage inventories and localize production in major markets, exports to the U.S. dropped 1.2% and Europe by 10.3% compared to last year.

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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 January is +8.0%.
Nissan Division: 49,549 units
Infiniti Division: 4,985 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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