Nissan production, sales and exports for March 2004, FY03

Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced production, sales and export figures for March and the fiscal year 2003, ended March 31, 2004.

Global production in March rose compared with a year ago, helped by strong demand in the U.S. and Europe. Although sales in the U.S. and Europe increased, sales in Japan decreased slightly due to lower demand for the March model. Exports to Nissan's main markets, except for the U.S., advanced.

Nissan's global production, sales and exports in the fiscal year 2003 all rose compared with the previous year.

Production

March

Nissan's global production in March rose 18.8% over a year earlier to 302,897 units, its highest level ever for any month.

Production in Japan advanced 4.1% to 145,239 units, thanks largely to continued strong domestic sales of the Cube brand, which includes the Cube released in October 2002 and the Cube Cubic that debuted in September last year.

Overseas production in March jumped 36.7% to 157,658 units, as output in the U.S. more than doubled over the same month a year ago. Production in the U.S. surged 134.4% to 70,623 units amid higher output of the Altima sedan, the Armada sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the Titan pickup truck, among other models.

In Europe, production in the U.K. increased 7.3% to 32,672 units on the back of robust sales of the Micra (March in Japan). Production in Spain rose 28.2% to 13,078 units, driven by higher sales of the Primastar commercial vehicle.

FY 2003

Nissan's global production in fiscal year 2003 registered year-on-year growth of 10.9%, rising to 3,063,071 units and surpassing the 3-million mark for the first time in 12 years.

Overseas production rose  20.6% to a record 1,588,008 units.

In the U.S., production soared 57.8% to 619,665 units, propelled by the transfer of production of the Maxima from Japan to the Smyrna plant in February last year and the successful launches of the Quest minivan, Armada and Titan at the new Canton, Mississippi plant.

Production in Mexico declined 10.2% to 303,026 units due to lower domestic sales of the Sentra (Sunny in Japan) and reduced exports of the model to the U.S.

In Europe, higher sales of the Micra boosted production in the U.K. by 11.6% to 338,547 units. Output in Spain also exceeded last year's level, rising 27.9% to 123,091 units.

Production in other regions also posted year-on-year growth, with output in China advancing 6.2% to 61,032 units and output in Taiwan rising 3.4% to 65,997 units.

Sales

March

Nissan's domestic registrations in March dipped 1.6% from a year ago to 116,851 units.

While sales of the Cube and the Cube Cubic remained strong, weaker demand for the March that was rolled out in March 2002 caused overall registrations to fall slightly. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in March declined 0.2 percentage point to 20.3%.

Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, however, rose 4.5% in March to 129,155 units. Sales of the new Moco that underwent a minor model change in February soared 64.9% to 7,833 units. Nissan's domestic market share, including the minicar segment, edged up 0.2 percentage point to 15.2%.

In the U.S., sales climbed 30.3% from a year earlier to 90,494 units, the highest level ever for a single month. Nissan brand sales rose 32.8% to 78,070 units, driven by higher volume sales of the Altima, Quest and the Titan. Sales of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand were up 16.4% to 12,424 units, boosted by solid demand for the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) and the Infiniti FX45/FX35.

Nissan's sales in Europe increased 1.9% to 60,758 units, thanks to the continued popularity of the Micra and the X-TRAIL exported from Japan.

FY 2003

Nissan's domestic registrations in FY 2003 rose 1.6% over the previous fiscal year to 780,620 units, due primarily to robust sales of the Cube brand, consisting of the Cube and the Cube Cubic, and the X-TRAIL.

Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, advanced 2.6% to 836,823 units. The Moco and the new Clipper mini-commercial vehicle, which was added to Nissan's mini-vehicle lineup in October last year, both maintained their high sales levels.

Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market advanced 0.4 percentage point over the previous fiscal year to 19.4%. Nissan's domestic market share, including the minicar segment, edged up 0.3 percentage point to 14.2%.

In the U.S., sales rose 17.9% from the previous year to 856,080 units, the highest level ever for a single fiscal year. Nissan brand sales grew 16.1% to 732,401 units, thanks to strong demand for the Altima, Armada and Titan, among other models. Sales of the Infiniti luxury brand climbed 29.4% to a record 123,679 units, propelled by the popularity of such models as the Infiniti G35 and the Infiniti FX45/FX35. In both Canada and Mexico, Nissan's sales surpassed last year's levels. Sales in Canada rose 5.2% to 69,838 units, and sales in Mexico were up 2.7% to 217,744 units.

Sales in Europe advanced 14.9% to 549,649 units, driven in large part by robust demand for the Micra and the X-TRAIL.

Exports

March

Nissan's exports in March rose 9.6% over a year ago to 65,330 units.  Although shipments to North America fell 8.9% to 22,698 units, strong demand for the X-TRAIL, notably in Europe, helped push up the overall export volume.

FY 2003

Nissan's exports advanced 3.7% over the previous fiscal year to 719,165 units. Shipments to North America declined 18.4% to 256,714 units, because of the transfer of Maxima production to the U.S. from Japan in February 2003, as well as lower shipments of the Infiniti FX45/FX35 and the Murano.

Exports to Europe, on the other hand, climbed 30% to 116,293 units, owing to increased exports of the X-TRAIL.

Shipments to other regions also registered year-on-year growth. Exports to Latin America advanced 26.1% to 53,768 units, exports to Oceania grew 17.3% to 65,314 units, and exports to Asia jumped 52.6% to 112,480 units. Shipments to China alone more than doubled over the previous fiscal year, soaring 141.9% to 51,824 units, 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 Mar. is +30.3%.       
     Nissan Division:  78,070 units       
     Infiniti Division:    12,424 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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