Nissan Production and Sales Results for March 2003 and FY 2002
Nissan's domestic production, overseas production and exports in FY2002 all posted gains over the levels of the previous fiscal year. Sales in the principal markets of Japan, North America and Europe in FY 2002 also rose. Overseas production in particular set an all-time high for a single fiscal year. These results indicate that the momentum created by the Nissan Revival Plan and NISSAN 180 is continuing to accelerate.
Production (March)
Nissan's global production in March totaled 254,920 units, up 5.7% over the same month a year earlier and marking the 13th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
Domestic production for the month came to 139,577 units, a gain of 5% over March 2002 and exceeding the previous year's level for the 13th straight month. The major contributors to that advance were the new Teana sedan that was released in the domestic market in February; the new generations of the March and the Cube; the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) for the Japanese and North American markets; and the new Infiniti FX45/FX35 premium crossover SUVs, the new Murano crossover SUV and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan), all of which are sold in the U.S. and Canada.
Nissan's overseas production in March registered its third consecutive month of year-on-year expansion, rising 6.6% over the same month last year to total 115,343 units. In the U.S., output stood at 30,127 units, down 17.5% from March 2002 because of a drop in light truck production. Vehicle production in Mexico came to 25,560 units, staying at the same level as last year.
In Europe, robust sales of the new Micra (March in Japan) boosted U.K. production to 30,446 units, up 11.8% over the same month a year earlier. Production in Spain also jumped 81.3% over last year's level to reach 10,204 units, owing mainly to the introduction of the new Primastar commercial vehicle.
Production figures in other markets also showed large gains over the same month a year ago, with output in Taiwan rising 51.6% to 7,908 units and production in China advancing 78.1% to 5,519 units.
Production (FY 2002)
In FY 2002, Nissan's global production totaled 2,761,375 units, a gain of 10.5% over FY 2001, and registered the first year-on-year growth in two years.
Domestic production in FY 2002 came to 1,444,314 units, up 13.5% over FY 2001 and surpassing the level of the previous fiscal year for first time in five years. Among domestic market models, large contributions were made by newly released vehicles, including the March, Elgrand, Cube and Teana. Export models that contributed notably to the higher production volume included the Infiniti G35, 350Z and Murano for the U.S. and Canada, as well as the X‑TRAIL, which is marketed throughout the world, except in North America.
Overseas production in FY 2002 rose 7.5% over the previous fiscal year to stand at 1,317,061 units, reaching a record high on a fiscal-year basis. In the U.S., production surged 8% over FY 2001 to total 392,587 units due to robust sales of the Altima. Production in Mexico also surpassed the FY 2001 level, rising 2.6% to 337,631 units, thanks in large part to the contribution by the new Platina sedan that went into full-scale production in April 2002.
In Europe, the increased output of the Micra and the Primera raised production in the U.K. to 303,411 units, a gain of 4.6% over the previous fiscal year. However, production in Spain declined 12.4% to 96,218 units.
Production in other markets also rose substantially over the previous fiscal year, as output in China advanced 93.6% to 57,482 units and production in Thailand increased 34.9% to 36,519 units.
Sales (March)
Nissan's domestic registrations in March totaled 118,804 units, up 17.9% over the same month a year ago, marking the 12th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. The Teana, March, Cube and Fairlady Z all continued to post strong sales. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in March rose 1.5 points compared with March 2002 to reach 20.5%, exceeding the 20% level in March for the first time since March 1999.
Including the minicar segment, Nissan's domestic sales for the month came to 123,561 units, posting a year-on-year gain of 22.7%. Nissan's domestic market share, including minicars, advanced substantially over the same month last year to stand at 15%, an increase of two full percentage points.
In the U.S., despite the strong sales of new models such as the Murano, 350Z, Infiniti G35 and Infiniti FX45/FX35, Nissan's sales in March declined 8.8% from a year earlier to 69,461 units. The Infiniti Division saw its single monthly sales volume surpass the 10,000-unit mark for the first time ever, selling 10,678 units in March for an increase of 23.8%. Meanwhile, sales of the Nissan Division were down 13% to 58,783 units, due largely to a drop-off in Maxima sales before the rollout of the new generation of this sports sedan. The Sentra and Frontier sales also decreased from a year earlier. Sales in Canada rose 22% over March 2002 to total 6,284 units, and sales in Mexico also posted a year-on-year gain of 17%, increasing to 16,475 units.
In Europe, Nissan's March sales totaled 59,727 units, up 7.8% over the same month last year, due to strong sales of the Micra, X‑TRAIL and other models.
Sales (FY 2002)
Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, came to 815,593 units in FY 2002, a gain of 14.3% over the previous fiscal year. That substantial increase was driven by robust sales of various new models, notably the latest generation of the March that was launched in March 2002, as well as the Moco minicar, Elgrand, Fairlady Z, Cube and Teana, among others. Domestic registrations rose 7.7% over FY 2001 to total 768,236 units, and Nissan's share of the registered vehicle market climbed to 19%, for a 1.1-point rise over the previous fiscal year. Nissan expanded its market share by more than one point on an annual basis for the first time in 31 years. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's domestic market share increased 1.6 points over the previous fiscal year to stand at 13.9%.
Nissan's sales in the U.S. in FY 2002 saw year-on-year growth of 1.1% to total 726,358 units. That increase was fueled by strong sales of new models, including the Altima, which debuted in August 2001, the Infiniti G35, 350Z and Murano, all of which were rolled out in 2002. The Infiniti Division had its best year since it was established in 1989, posting record-high sales of 95,570 units for a significant gain of 35.1% over FY 2001. In both Canada and Mexico, Nissan's sales exceeded the levels of the previous fiscal year; sales in Canada rose 12.4% to 66,385 units, and sales in Mexico increased 9.4% to 211,983 units.
Sales in Europe also edged up 0.3% over the previous fiscal year to total 478,636 units, owing chiefly to robust demand for the Micra that was launched at the end of last year.
Exports from Japan (March)
Nissan's exports in March advanced for the 14th straight month over last year's levels, gaining 0.7% to total 59,621 units. Significant shipments were seen for the Murano, Infiniti G35, Infiniti FX45/FX35 and 350Z to the U.S. and Canada and for the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, particularly to Europe.
Exports from Japan (FY 2002)
Nissan's exports in FY 2002 exceeded the level of the previous fiscal year for the first time in five years, surging 20.2% to total 693,743 units. High export figures were posted by the X‑TRAIL and the Pickup to various overseas markets, excluding North America, and by the Infiniti G35, 350Z and Murano to the U.S. and Canada, among other models.