Nissan production, sales and export results for October 2003

Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced production, sales and export figures for October. Nissan's overseas production in October soared 25.7% over a year earlier to total 156,448 units, setting a record for a single month.

Production

Global production in October came to 284,776 units, up 13.1% compared with the same month a year ago.

Nissan's domestic production in October increased 0.9% over a year earlier to total 128,328 units. Among domestic market models, a notable contributor to the increased output was the new Cube Cubic compact minivan that was released in the Japanese market in September. Export models contributing to the higher production volume included the Sunny sold in China and other Asian markets as well as the new Murano crossover SUV and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) for North America.

Overseas production in October came to 156,448 units, an impressive gain of 25.7% over a year earlier and marking a record high for a single month.

Production in the U.S. for the month surged 71% over October 2002 to set a monthly record of 63,196 units, due to the start of full-scale production of the new Quest minivan and the all-new Pathfinder Armada SUV and robust sales of the new Maxima, among other models. In Mexico, production totaled 29,726 units, down 13.7% from a year earlier owing largely to a decline in Sentra sales and exports to the U.S.

In the U.K., production in October rose to 32,100 units, an advance of 19.6% over the same month last year, driven mainly by strong sales of the new Micra (March in Japan). Production in Spain in October also increased 19.3% to reach 12,375 units due principally to demand for the Primastar commercial vehicle.

Sales

Domestic registrations in October posted a year-on-year increase of 3.8%, rising to 55,718 units. New models, notably the new Cube Cubic, continued their strong sales showing. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in October stood at 17.8%, a 0.6-point gain over October 2002.

Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, also rose in October to 60,553 units, up 6.2% over a year earlier. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's domestic market share advanced 0.2 point over the same month last year to stand at 13.1%.

In the U.S., October sales jumped 18.3% over last year's level, to 68,046 units. The Infiniti Division recorded an advance of 41.3%, as sales increased to 10,098 units due to demand for the Infiniti G35 Sedan and Coupe and the Infiniti FX45/FX35 premium crossover SUVs. Sales of the Nissan Division also grew 15% to reach 57,948 units, driven by the strong sales performance of the Murano, Quest and other new models. Sales in Canada in October dipped 2% from the same month last year to total 6,174 units, while sales in Mexico advanced 5.9% over October 2002, rising to 18,059 units.

In Europe, sales increased 39.5% in October compared with a year earlier to reach 49,736 units, thanks to substantially higher sales of the new Micra, the X‑TRAIL exported from Japan and other models.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in October showed year-on-year growth of 12.5%, as shipments increased to 65,640 units.

Exports to North America were down 19.5% from a year earlier to 23,731 units due mainly to the effect of switching Maxima production from Japan to local production in North America. However, strong shipments to North America were seen for the Murano, Infiniti FX45/FX35 and Infiniti G35, among other models. Exports to Europe recorded a significant gain of 32.1% over October 2002 to total 11,381 units.

Shipments to other regions also posted year-on-year growth, as exports to Latin America rose 36.4% to 4,636 units, exports to Oceania advanced 35.9% to 3,827 units and exports to the Middle East increased1.8% to 7,455 units.

In addition, exports to China soared to 5,329 units, a jump of 814.1%, driven by strong demand for the new Sunny.

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 Oct. is +18.3%.      
     Nissan Division:  57,948  units      
     Infiniti Division:    10,098 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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