Nissan production and sales results for August 2002

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, sales and export figures for August. Nissan's overseas production had its best August ever last month. Also, monthly unit sales in the three principal markets of Japan, North America and Europe were all higher than for the same month a year ago, thanks to European sales that marked year-on-year growth for the first time in 16 months.

Nissan's domestic production, overseas production, domestic sales and exports all posted year-on-year gains in August, marking the fifth consecutive month that these four indexes have exceeded the previous year's levels.

Production

Nissan's global production in August totaled 213,651 units, up 20.5% over the same month last year and registering the sixth straight month of year-on-year growth.

Domestic production for the month came to 99,058 units, 10.5% higher than in August 2001. In addition to strong demand for the new Fairlady Z (350Z in the U.S.) launched in the Japanese and North American markets in July, robust sales of the new March and the new Elgrand in Japan and of the X‑TRAIL, newly introduced in various overseas markets, as well as of the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) combined to boost production above last year's level.

Overseas production in August stood at 114,593 units, a substantial jump of 30.8% over the same month last year, and it was the best August ever.  In the U.S., production showed a large 34.5% increase on the back of continued brisk sales of the new Altima. Output in the U.K. totaled 24,923 units, a dramatic rise of 52.2% over the same month last year, due to the working day increase and also thanks to the contributions made by the new Primera, the Almera and the Micra. In Mexico, production rose 9.7% over last year's level to reach 35,397 units, with the Platina that was jointly developed with Renault and launched in May contributing 6,700 units.

Sales

Nissan's domestic registrations in August showed the fifth straight month of year-on-year growth, totaling 44,481 units for an 8.5% gain over the same month last year. The new Fairlady Z released in July contributed a net increase of 1,177 units to the monthly sales figure. In addition, other new models continued to maintain high sales levels, as the new March recorded a threefold sales increase and the new Elgrand, launched in May, posted more than a twofold sales increase over the same month a year earlier. Nissan's domestic market share in August stood at 17.6%, up 1.6 points over August 2001.

The new Moco recorded August sales of 3,364 units, bringing Nissan's monthly sales total, including minicars, to 47,845 units, a gain of 16.7% over August 2001. Nissan's market share, including the minicar segment, was 13.1%, up 1.9 points over the same month last year.

Nissan's sales in the U.S. in August totaled 73,403 units, a gain of 24.3% over last year's level. The new Altima, named "North American Car of the Year" in 2002, continued to show robust sales of 19,625 units, up 104.0% over the same month a year earlier. For the fourth consecutive month, the Altima set a new monthly sales record. Moreover, the Infiniti Division also had all-time record-high sales for the second straight month, selling 8,451 units in August, an advance of 37.0% over the same month last year. The new Infiniti G35 recorded strong sales of 3,708 units to contribute substantially to that record-breaking performance. Sales in Canada in August totaled 4,978 units, 10.9% higher than a year ago. In Mexico, sales also showed year-on-year growth, rising 6.2% to 17,118 units.

August sales in Europe stood at 28,141 units, up 2.0% over the same month last year and marking the first year-on-year gain in 16 months. Contributing to that advance were the new Primera that was rolled out at the beginning of this year, the new X‑TRAIL that continues to sell briskly, and the facelifted Pickup.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in August posted year-on-year growth for the seventh consecutive month, totaling 53,346 units for a 22.2% advance over the same month last year. Robust shipments were seen for the Infiniti G35 and the 350Z to the U.S. market, the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, notably Europe, and for the facelifted Pickup.

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 August is +19.8%.
    Nissan Division: 64,952 units
    Infiniti Division: 8,451 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

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