Nissan production and sales results for March 2002 and the past 12 months

Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. reported today production, sales and export figures for March and the past 12 months.  For the month, global production increased 4.5%, while total unit sales for the three main regions, including Japan, North America and Europe were down 5.3%.  For the past 12 months, global production was down 5.3%, while total unit sales for the three main regions decreased by 3.6%.

Production

Nissan's global production in March increased for the fifth straight month to 238,500, up 4.5% from a year ago.

Domestic production in March was 132,932 units, up 6.8% from a year ago.  The increase was driven by orders for the new March in Japan, and exports of Infiniti G35 to North America and X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets.

Nissan's overseas production in March totaled 105,568 units, up 1.8% from March 2001.

Nissan's production in the U.S. increased 62.1% on continued strong demand for the new Altima and Xterra.  Mexican production decreased slightly, 2.5% from last year.  In Europe, UK production was down 6.5% as production of the new Primera is still in the early stages.  In Spain production dropped 63.9% compared to last year due to the discontinuation of older products.

In other regions production increased 3.1% in March.

For the past 12 months, Nissan's global production was down 5.3%, to 2,474,888 compared to the previous year.

Domestic production in the last 12 months totaled 1,272,851, down 3.1%.  The decline was due to weakened demand in the domestic market and exports in line with Nissan's policy to localize production.

For the past 12 months, production in the U.S. increased 3.0% from the previous year with a significant increase coming in the second half on the release of the new Altima and a new design for the Xterra in September.  In Mexico, production declined slightly 1.5%.  UK production dropped 12.8% with a model change for the new Primera, and Spain declined 28.6% from the previous year as Nissan discontinued production of older models.

Sales

Nissan's domestic sales for March decreased 9.2% to 100,737 units.  Despite the launch of the new March, which more than doubled its volume and strong demand for the Wingroad and new Stagea, a decline in total industry volume and slower sales from cars launched at this time last year contributed to the decline.  Nissan's domestic market share came to 19.0%, a 0.1 point decrease from March 2001.

Nissan's sales in the U.S. increased 10.1% from March 2001 as the company saw continuing strong sales of the new Altima, Maxima and Xterra and the introduction of the Infiniti G35.  Sales in Canada declined 0.8%.  In Mexico, sales declined 19.4%.

Nissan's sales in Europe decreased by 11.8% from March 2001.  The new Primera was launched during March and is in the preliminary stages of rollout expected to be complete by summer.

In the past 12 months, Nissan's domestic sales were down 2.6% to 713,521 units from the previous period.  The decrease was in line with total market performance, as the company continued to launch new models such as the new Stagea and redesigned new vehicles including the Serena, Wingroad and Liberty.  For the past 12 months, Nissan's domestic market share came to 17.9%, a 0.1 point increase from the previous year.

For the past 12 months, Nissan's sales in the U.S. dropped 3.4% to 718,788 from the previous year.  Sales declined as the overall market slowed in the first half from its strong performance in the previous year.  Sales over the last six-month period improved significantly with the launch of new products.  Sales in Canada increased 20.0%.  Sales in Mexico were also up 7.4%.

For the past 12 months, Nissan's sales in Europe decreased by 11.1% to 468,391 from the previous year.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in March increased 32.1% to 59,213 units, marking the second month with a consecutive year-on-year increase.  The overall increase is due primarily to recently started exports of the G35 to the U.S. and strong demand in the Middle East for the new pickup truck and Patrol.  The increase was also driven by the resumption of normal export levels to China.

For the past 12 months, Nissan's exports decreased 4.6% to 577,119 units, marking the fourth consecutive year-on-year decrease.  The overall decline is due primarily to Nissan's policy of localizing production.  Exports to the Middle East markets, however, increased as the company saw strong demand for the new pickup truck and Patrol both of which received mid-life enhancements in the past months.

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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 excluding mini-cars and 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 March is 14.2%.                     
     Nissan Division:  67,572units                            
     Infiniti Division:  8,628units                                 
*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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