Nissan production, sales and export results for November 2002

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

Production

Nissan's global production in November registered the ninth straight month of year-on-year growth, rising 4.9% over the same month last year to total 233,922 units.

Domestic production in November came to 125,787 units, up 10.2% over November 2001 and marking the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year expansion. Domestic output has now recorded double-digit growth for five months in a row. Robust domestic sales of the new March and the new Cube, launched in October, contributed substantially to the production increase. In addition, strong demand for the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) that was newly launched in the Japanese and North American markets in July has kept the production line for this model operating at full capacity. Moreover, the new Murano crossover SUV and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) for the North American market as well as the X‑TRAIL for various overseas markets also contributed to the higher production volume.

Nissan's overseas production in November totaled 108,135 units, a slight dip of 0.7% from the same month a year ago. In the United States, Altima production remained firm, rising 2.6% to 20,244 units, but total vehicle output fell 4.5% to 32,843 units, due to sagging demand in the pickup truck segment, among other factors. Production in Mexico rose 0.8% over November 2001 to total 27,702 units on the back of continued brisk sales of the Platina. In the U.K., production declined 21.2% to 20,009 units, largely on account of reduced output of the previous Micra as the plant geared up for production of the new generation of this model. Production in Spain recorded a substantial increase for the first time in 16 months, rising 27% over November 2001 to total 9,816 units, owing to the start of full-scale production of the new Primastar commercial vehicle.

Sales

Nissan's domestic registrations in November marked the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, rising 7.9% over November 2001 to total 61,220 units. Notable contributors to the overall sales increase were the new March and the new Cube, both of which saw unit sales more than double over last year's levels. Sales of the March rose 121.5% over last November to total 10,300 units, while sales of the Cube, released on October 8, advanced 112.4% to reach 11,523 units. Nissan's domestic market share in November was 18.5%, a 0.3-point increase over the same month last year.

Sales of the new Moco minicar in November came to 3,789 units. Nissan's total domestic sales, including minicars, stood at 65,012 units for the month, 14.6% higher than in November 2001. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's share of the domestic vehicle market was 13.5%, a gain of 1.5 points over the same month a year ago.

Nissan's sales in the United States in November advanced 2.3% over the same month last year to total 57,512 units for a 0.6-point increase in market share to 4.8%. That advance was achieved in spite of a year-on-year decline in total demand of 9.3%, as the auto market continued its contraction from October. The new Altima set another monthly sales record for the seventh straight month, posting sales of 14,777 units, up 8.1% over November 2001. In addition, the new 350Z also continued its strong sales showing, recording sales of 3,755 units for the month. Furthermore, the Infiniti Division set an all-time monthly sales record of 8,830 units, as sales jumped a large 44.8% over last year's level. The new record high was largely due to robust sales of the Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan and the G35 Sport Coupe, which was newly launched in early November. In Canada, Nissan's November sales came to 5,066 units, down 8.3% from a year earlier, while sales in Mexico dipped 1.9% to total 17,846 units.

In Europe, Nissan's sales in November marked the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, advancing 3.3% over the same month last year to total 34,125 units. The sales increase was driven by strong demand for the Pickup and continued robust sales of the new Primera and the X‑TRAIL, among other models.

Exports from Japan

In November, Nissan's exports came to 69,908 units, an increase of 20.4% over November 2001 and registering a year-on-year gain for the tenth straight month. The principal models posting strong shipments included the Infiniti G35 and the 350Z to North America, in addition to the Murano that was newly launched in that market in December, and the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, particularly 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 November is -1.6%
     Nissan Division:  48,682 units
     Infiniti Division:  8,830 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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