Nissan Production, Sales and Export Results for May 2003

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

Production

Nissan's global production in May totaled 229,955 units, a dip of 0.7% from the same month a year earlier and dropping below the previous year's level for the first time in 15 months.

Domestic production for the month came to 108,878 units, up 0.6% over May 2002 and posting the 15th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.  The principal contributors to that increase were the new Teana sedan launched in the domestic market in February; the new Cube; the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) for the Japanese and North American markets; the new Infiniti FX45/FX35 premium crossover SUVs, the new Murano crossover SUV and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan), all of which are marketed in North America; and the X-TRAIL for various overseas markets, particularly Europe.  Meanwhile, the switch to local production of the Maxima for the North American market had the effect of reducing the overall volume of domestic output.

Nissan's overseas production in May stood at 121,077 units, off 1.9% from the same month last year and falling below the previous year's level for the second straight month.

In the U.S., production rose 5.1% over May 2002 to reach 41,007 units, due to the start of full-scale production of the new Maxima.  Production in Mexico declined 19.8% from a year earlier to total 25,657 units, owing to the model year changeover of the Sentra that was made in May.

In the U.K., robust European sales of the new Micra boosted production volume of the new car nearly twofold over the previous year's level, but Almera and Primera declined in the C and D segments.  As a result, the overall production volume was down 10.6% from a year earlier to total 27,238 units.  In Spain, production came to 10,491 units, rising 39.8% over May 2002 due to the contribution of the new Primastar commercial vehicle.

In other regions, production in China rose 136.3% over the same month a year ago to total 6,054 units, buoyed by the production launch of the new Paladin SUV, among other contributing factors.

Sales

Nissan's domestic registrations in May came to 55,313 units, up 1.2% over the same month last year.  The new models rolled out in the previous fiscal year, such as the Cube, Teana and the Fairlady Z, continued their strong sales performance.  Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in May was 19%, a 0.2-point drop compared to May 2002. Including minicars, Nissan's domestic sales in May totaled 57,447 units, down 3.5% from the same month last year.  Nissan's domestic market share, including the minicar segment, stood at 13.7% in May, a 0.4-point decline from the same month a year earlier.

Nissan's sales in the U.S. posted a gain over May 2002, climbing 10.8% to reach 70,967 units.  The Infiniti Division set a new all-time single-month sales record of 11,149 units, registering substantial year-on-year growth of 46.1%.  The Nissan Division also increased its vehicle sales to 59,818 units, up 6% over May 2002, propelled by higher sales volumes for the Maxima, Murano and the 350Z.  Sales in Canada rose 14.6% over a year earlier to total 7,549 units, while sales in Mexico were down 20.5%, falling to 15,375 units.

In Europe, despite the strong sales showing by new Micra launched at the end of January and by the X-TRAIL exported from Japan, sales declined 2.3% from May 2002 to total 42,153 units, due in part to the overall contraction of the European vehicle market.

Exports from Japan

Nissan's exports in May posted the 16th straight month of year-on-year growth, advancing 6.6% to total 50,553 units.  Robust shipments were seen for the Murano, 350Z, Infiniti FX45/FX35 and the Infiniti G35 to North America and for the X-TRAIL to various overseas markets, notably 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 May is +6.7%.      
     Nissan Division:  59,818 units      
     Infiniti Division:    11,149 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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