Nissan production and sales results for July 2002

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, sales and export figures for July. Domestic production, overseas production, domestic sales and exports in July all surpassed the corresponding levels for the same month a year ago, marking the fourth consecutive month that these four indexes have shown year-on-year increases.

Production

Nissan's global production in July rose for the fifth straight month over last year's monthly levels, totaling 217,444 units for a gain of 8.6% over the same month a year earlier.

Domestic production for the month stood at 130,902 units, 13.4% higher than in July 2001. In addition to the start of full-scale production of the new Fairlady Z released in Japan and North America, the new generations of the March and the Elgrand in the domestic market and the X‑TRAIL that was newly introduced in various overseas markets continued their strong sales showing to boost output substantially over last year's level.

Overseas production in July came to 86,542 units, up 1.9% over the same month last year. In the U.S. market where the new Altima continues to post record high sales, production surpassed last year's level by a large margin of 53%. Production in Mexico dipped 1.8% compared with a year ago owing to one less operating day, despite the volume contributed by the Platina, which was jointly developed with Renault and rolled out in May. In the U.K., production was down 15.7% from a year earlier due to the effect of sagging demand in some major European markets.

Sales

Nissan's domestic registrations in July totaled 74,599 units, an increase of 2.9% over July 2001 and marking the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. New models continued to maintain high sales levels, with the new March and the new Elgrand, released in May, recording respective increases in excess of threefold and twofold over the same month last year. Nissan's domestic market share in July rose to 20.3%, up 1.7 points over last year and regaining the 20% level again for the first time in 17 months.

July domestic sales, including minicars, stood at 80,110 units, 10.5% higher than in the same month a year earlier. The new Moco minicar recorded sales of 5,510 units.

Nissan's sales in the U.S. in July rose 9.8% over the same month last year. The new Altima, winner of the North American Car of the Year award in January, continued to sell briskly, setting a new monthly sales record for the third straight month. In addition, the Infiniti Division also set a new sales record of 7,535 units for the single month of July, up 39.1% over a year earlier, on the back of strong G35 sales. In Canada, Nissan's sales in July were 32.4% higher than for the same month last year, and a year-on-year gain of 17.6% was seen in Mexico.

Nissan's sales in Europe in July declined 3.0% from the same month a year ago. That was due to the effect of contracting demand particularly in Italy and Spain, in spite of the contribution of the new Primera and the X‑TRAIL.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in July totaled 57,555 units, up 15.8% over July of last year and marking the sixth straight month of a year-on-year increase. Shipments were notably strong for the Infiniti G35 and Fairlady Z to the U.S. market and for the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, particularly Europe. Moreover, exports of the Cefiro and the X‑TRAIL to China rose substantially owing to strong sales of these models in that market.

Global Production by Country

*1 Others include production in Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa 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 July is +5.4%.
     Nissan Division: 54,746 units
     Infiniti Division: 7,535 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 April 2002 results.Vehicle Exports from Japan