Nissan production, sales and export results for June 2003 and first half of CY 2003

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced production, sales and export figures for June and the first half of calendar year 2003.

Nissan's global production in the first half of CY2003 posted year-on-year increase of 6.8% to 1,435,661.  The four categories of domestic production, overseas production, domestic sales and exports from Japan all surpassed the first-half levels of the previous year.

Production (June)

Nissan's global production in June totaled 248,429 units, up 11.3% over the same month a year ago.

Domestic production for the month came to 122,340 units, a gain of 13% over June 2002. The increase was driven by continued high production levels for the new Teana sedan that launched in the domestic market in February, the Cube, the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) for the Japanese and North American markets, and the Infiniti FX45/FX35 premium crossover SUVs, the Murano crossover SUV and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan), all of which are marketed in North America. Another contributor to the increased output was the X‑TRAIL, which completed a minor model change in the Japanese market in June. X‑TRAIL production increased for both the domestic market and overseas markets, notably Europe.

Nissan's overseas production in June came to 126,089 units, up 9.7% over June 2002.

Output in the United States rose 19.6% over the same month last year to total 41,953 units, due largely to the production launch of the new Quest and the start of full-scale Maxima production. In Mexico, production came to 26,026 units, off 13.9% from June 2002 owing primarily to lower sales of the Platina sedan. Production in the United Kingdom totaled 30,587, advancing 12% over the same month a year earlier due to robust sales of the new Micra. In Spain, production rose 34.2% over June 2002 to reach 10,977 units, thanks to brisk sales of the new Primastar commercial vehicle.

In other regions, production in China jumped 48.5% over the same month last year to total 6,256 units, due principally to the production launch of the new Paladin SUV in May.

Production (First half of CY 2003)

Nissan's global production in the first half of CY 2003 posted year-on-year growth of 6.8% over the same period last year to total 1,435,661 units.

Domestic production in the first six months of CY 2003 came to 734,934 units, up 10.6% over the same period of 2002. Contributing to that growth were the Teana and the Cube for the domestic market, the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) sold in Japan and North America, and the Murano, the Infiniti FX45/FX35 and the Infiniti G35, all of which are marketed in North America.

Nissan's overseas production in the first half of CY 2003 rose 3.1% over the first half of the previous calendar year to total 700,727 units.

In the United States, despite the switchover to local production of the Maxima this year and an increase in output of the Altima, production in the first half of CY 2003 was down 3.2% from last year to 213,870 units, due mainly to lower production volumes for the Frontier and Xterra. Production in Spain advanced 44.2% over the same period last year to total 59,772 units, owing to robust demand for the new Primastar commercial vehicle. Production in the United Kingdom also recorded growth of 1.9% over the first half of CY 2002, rising to 168,474 units due to strong sales of the new Micra. In other regions, production in China rose 84.3% over the same period last year to reach 34,614 units.

Sales (June)

Domestic registrations in June totaled 64,004 units, up 1.7% over the same month last year. Newly introduced models continued their strong sales performance, including the Fairlady Z, the Cube and the Teana, which were rolled out in the previous fiscal year, and the X‑TRAIL, which received a facelift in June. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in June stood at 18.7%, a 0.2-point drop from the same month last year.

Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, came to 66,318 units in June, off 3.4% from a year ago. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's domestic market share in June was 13.3%, a 0.4-point decline from June 2002.

In the United States, Nissan's June sales rose 12.2% over the same month last year to total 68,799 units. The Infiniti Division recorded sales of 9,204 units, a gain of 32% over June 2002, thanks to increased sales of the G35 and the FX45/FX35. The Nissan Division sold 59,595 units, a 9.6% gain over June of last year, was driven by higher sales of new models such as the Maxima, the Murano and the 350Z. In Canada, sales were down 0.6% from a year ago to 5,997 units, and sales in Mexico were off 3.1% from last year to total 17,022 units.

In Europe, sales rose 21.3% over June 2002 to reach 50,832 units. That growth was fueled by the increases recorded by the new Micra and by the X‑TRAIL.

Sales (First half of CY 2003)

Nissan's domestic registrations in the first half of CY 2003 came to 412,174 units, up 7.5% over the same period last year. Several models continued to record high sales levels, including the Teana, the Cube, the Fairlady Z and the Skyline, including coupe model which was launched in January. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in the first half of CY 2003 advanced 0.7 point over the same period last year, rising to 19.7%. Including minicars, Nissan's domestic sales climbed 7.8% over the first half of CY 2002 to total 429,259 units. For the first half of CY 2003, Nissan's domestic market share stood at 14.2%, up 0.9 point compared with the first half of 2002.

In the United States, Nissan sold 376,601 vehicles in the first half of CY 2003, up 0.3% over the same period a year ago. The Infiniti G35, the Murano and the Infiniti FX45/FX35 were among the new models that continued their strong sales showing. Sales in Europe rose 6.5% over the first half of last year to total 267,512 units, driven by robust sales of the new Micra and by brisk demand for the X‑TRAIL.

Exports from Japan (June)

Nissan's exports in June rose to 60,189 units, a gain of 11.3% over the same month a year earlier.

Shipments to North America were down 5.4% from last year, to 20,699 units, owing to the switchover to local production of the Maxima in the United States, though robust exports were seen for the Murano, the Infiniti FX45/FX35, the Infiniti G35 and other models. Shipments to Europe rose 50.6% to total 10,958 units, driven by strong demand for the X‑TRAIL.  Export to China increased 61.9% from last year, to 5,104 units.

Exports from Japan (First half of CY 2003)

Nissan's exports in the first half of CY 2003 came to 337,552 units, an increase of 12.1% over the same period in 2002. Strong shipments were seen for the Murano, the Infiniti FX45/FX35, the Infiniti G35 and the 350Z to North America and total export to North America was up 14.9% over the same period to 144,258 units.  Export of the X‑TRAIL to Europe, the Middle East and Asia also showed an increase.  In other regions, export to China increased 25.2% over the same period to come to 15,255 unit

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 June is +21.5%.   
     Nissan Division:  59,595 units   
     Infiniti Division:    9,204 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 May 2002 results. 

Vehicle Exports from Japan

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