BEIJING (December 16, 2009) - Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL), Nissan's local partner in China, today announced a sales target of 1 million vehicles for 2010. The company is on track to reach this target well ahead of the company's mid-term business plan, "PLAN 13" (One Cubed), which had a 1 million sales target for 2012.
DFL sales for 2009 are expected to total 905,000 units, including passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and heavy- and medium-duty trucks and buses (H&MCVs), up 28 percent versus 2008. The key drive for the success includes a full range of models, a widespread dealer network in the inbound cities and continuous brand activities. Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicles Company (Dongfeng Nissan) contributed to the automaker's success with the forecasted sales of 517,000 units for 2009, up 47 percent versus 2008. The sales target for of Dongfeng Nissan in 2010 is 600,000 units.
"This has been a significant year for the growth of Nissan and DFL in China," said Kimiyasu Nakamura, president of DFL. "With committed employees, a first-class dealership body and a strong product lineup, I'm confident we'll achieve sales of 1 million vehicles next year."
Infrastructure expansion and process modifications will help support the 1 million vehicle target. This includes the addition of the new light commercial vehicle plant in Zhengzhou at Henan province, upgrading production facilities and changing production line speed. DFL also will introduce two new models for 2010 - the Global Compact Car and the NV200 minivan - to meet the expanding needs of Chinese customers.
About DFL
Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. was established in 2003 as a result of a comprehensive, strategic partnership between Dongfeng Group and Nissan. DFL is the first joint venture in China to have a full lineup of passenger vehicles, LCVs and H&MCVs. Registered capital of the company is RMB16.7 billion (USD: 2.4 billion), the largest automotive joint venture investment in China, with Dongfeng and Nissan each holding a 50 percent stake.
About Dongfeng Nissan
Dongfeng Nissan is an affiliated company of Dongfeng Motor Co. Ltd. Dongfeng Nissan includes research & development operations, manufacturing and distribution of passenger vehicles.
Nissan Business in China
Since the establishment of DFL, Nissan's sales volume, including both passenger and light commercial vehicles, has risen dramatically from 94,000 units in 2003 to 545,000 units in 2008. Nissan also launched its luxury brand, Infiniti, in China in 2007.
Nissan's sales are forecasted to reach 742,000 vehicles in 2009, including passenger and light commercial vehicles, along with Infiniti products, an increase of 36 percent versus 2008. Nissan expects to sell 850,000 units in 2010.
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