Nissan production, sales and export results for October 2002

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, sales and export figures for October.

Production
Nissan's global production in October totaled 251,695 units, an advance of 4.7% over the same month last year, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

Domestic production in October rose for the eighth straight month over last year's levels, totaling 127,245 units for a gain of 10% compared with the same month a year ago. This production increase was driven in part by brisk domestic market sales of the new March and the new Cube that was released in October. In addition, it was also propelled by the strong sales showing of the Fairlady Z (350Z in the U.S.), launched in the Japanese and North American markets in July, and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) and the X‑TRAIL, two models that have been newly introduced in various overseas markets.

Overseas production for the month came to 124,450 units, off a slight 0.2% from October 2001. Production in the U.S. market rose 2.1% to 36,949 units on the back of continued strong sales of the new Altima. Vehicle output in Mexico in October totaled 34,432 units, a small dip of 3.1% from the same month of last year due to approximately one less operating day this year. In the U.K., despite higher production volumes for the new Primera and the Micra, overall output stood at 26,849 units, a slight decline of 3.1% from the same month last year. Production of Almera in the U.K. decreased reflecting reduced demand as the current model entered its run out phase and preparations were made for the facelifted model which went on sale in October.

Sales
In Japan, Nissan's registrations in October marked the seventh straight month of year-on-year growth, advancing 6.4% over last year's level to total 53,678 units. Newly released models continued to sustain high sales levels, notably the new March, for which sales jumped by 159.7% over October 2001 to reach 10,316 units, and the new Cube that was launched on October 8 and recorded sales of 9,143 units for a large advance of 88.2% over the previous year. Nissan's share of the domestic market in October stood at 17.2%, a 0.2-point gain over the same month last year.

The new Moco posted sales of 3,364 units in October. For the month, Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, totaled 57,042 units, up 13% over October 2001. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's market share was 12.9%, an increase of 1.4 points over the same month a year earlier.

In the U.S., as the industry sales fell 24.5%, Nissan sales declined only 9.3% to 57,539 units. As a result Nissan's market share increased 0.8 points to 4.4% for the month. Despite the sluggish overall market, sales of the Altima set a monthly sales record for the sixth consecutive month with sales of 16,315 units, up 16.9% over October 2001. Additionally, Nissan continues to sell every new 350Z it can produce with 2,737 units for the month. The Infiniti Division recorded its highest-ever October sales figure, selling 7,145 units for a 6.5% increase over the same month last year. That record-breaking performance was due in part to the smooth sales launches of the M45 (Cedric in Japan), which was released in October, in addition to continued robust sales of the Infiniti G35. In Canada, Nissan's sales came to 6,298 units, down 4.7% from last year, whereas sales in Mexico edged up 0.1% to total 17,045 units.

In Europe, Nissan's sales in October registered year-on-year growth for the third consecutive month, rising 1% over the same month last year to total 35,674 units. Contributing to this sales increase were the new Primera that was released in March, the X‑TRAIL that continues to show firm sales results and the Pickup that has been enthusiastically received since undergoing a facelift at the beginning of this year.

Exports from Japan
Nissan's exports in October totaled 58,342 units, up 7.9% over the same month last year and marking the ninth straight month of year-on-year growth. Shipments were particularly robust for the Infiniti G35 and the 350Z to the North American market and for the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, especially Europe.

Global Production by Country

*1 Others include production in Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Indonesia 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 October is -12.6%.
     Infiniti Division: 7,145 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

end