TOKYO (Jan 26, 2007) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today released production, sales, and export figures for December and calendar year 2006.
1.Production
December
Nissan’s global production in December decreased 3.2% to 238,332 units compared to the same month in the year prior.
In Japan, new products such as the Infiniti G sedan (new Skyline in Japan), and the new commercial vehicles AD and AD Expert as well as Serena minivan were positive contributors. However, overall domestic production decreased 6.9% to 96,916 units because of a decline in the production of other models.
Overseas production fell 0.6% to 141,416 units, while production in the US also dropped 4.2% to 52,993 units. Production in Mexico rose 2.2% to 27,166 units driven by production of the new Sentra and new Tiida (Versa in US and Canada).
In the UK, production rose 8.3% to 18,401 units, due to the start of production of the new Qashqai. In Spain, production grew 4.8% to 12,589 units boosted by demand for the new Navara commercial pickup vehicle. In other regions, production fell 3.5% to 30,267 units.
2006 Calendar Year
Nissan’s global production in 2006 fell 7.7% to 3,238,346 units. In Japan, production increased for models such as the new Bluebird Sylphy, new Wingroad, Serena, and Murano. Overall production fell by 14.9% to 1,234,400 units.
Overseas production fell 2.6% to 2,003,946 units but continued to exceed the 2 million mark for the second year running. Production in the US also fell 11.1% to 743,478 units. In Mexico, production increased 12.3% to 407,222 units as a result of the start of production of the new Sentra and new Tiida.
In the UK, production fell 4.5% to 301,210 units. In Spain, production rose 6.4% to 205,990 units driven by demand for commercial vehicles like the new Navara. In other regions, production fell 0.9% to 346,046 units.
2.Sales
December
Nissan's Japan registrations in December fell 9.1% compared to the same month a year previously at 35,375 units, reflecting the fifteenth consecutive month of a year-on-year drop in sales.
Nissan’s domestic sales including mini vehicles fell 3.0% to 43,457 units. Despite continuing favorable sales of mini vehicles such as the new Otti and Moco, declines in other segments impacted total sales. This resulted in a drop in Nissan’s share of the domestic market by 0.3 percentage points to 13.9%, while its corresponding market share including mini vehicles was down 0.3 percentage points to 10.7%.
In the US, sales rose 0.6% to 91,775 units, contributed by favorable sales of the new Altima, new Versa, and new Infiniti G sedan. The Infiniti brand posted a record high for a December sales performance.
In Europe, sales grew by 50.7% to 49,054 units, driven by favorable sales in Eastern Europe markets of vehicles such as the Almera Classic sedan and the Navara.
2006 Calendar Year
In Japan, Nissan’s registrations in 2006 fell 16.8% to 632,047 units, although sales of certain models including the new Bluebird Sylphy, new Wingroad, and Serena improved over the prior year.
Including mini vehicles, Nissan’s domestic sales fell 11.5% to 766,702 units.. Nissan’s share of the market was down 2.3 percentage points over the previous year at 17.0%, while its corresponding market share including mini vehicles was down 1.4 percentage points to 13.4%.
In the US, sales fell 5.3% to 1,019,249 units, but a favorable start of sale of the new Versa and continuing strong Murano sales contributed to the calendar year volume exceeding the 1 million mark for the second year running.
In Europe, sales fell 0.2% to 539,773 units.
3.Exports from Japan
December
Nissan’s exports in December grew 11.8% compared to the same month a year previously to 63,008 units, posting the first year-on-year increase in nine months.
Exports to North America increased 1.6% to 26,457 units.
Exports to Europe fell 1.0% to 5,312 units.
2006 Calendar Year
Nissan’s exports in 2006 fell 4.6% to 646,016 units.
Exports to North America exceeded the previous year, growing 4.7% to 250,299 units helped by favorable exports of models such as the Murano.
Exports to Europe fell 22.7% to 80,291 units.
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