Nissan Production, Sales and Export Results for December 2002 and Calendar Year 2002
For the 2002 calendar year, Nissan's domestic production, overseas production, domestic sales and exports all rose over 2001's levels, marking the first time in 13 years, since 1989, that these four indexes have simultaneously surpassed the previous year's results. Overseas production in particular set a new all-time high on a calendar-year basis. This strong performance indicates that NISSAN 180 got off to an excellent start.
Production (December)
In December Nissan's global production totaled 187,710 units, up 9.5% over the same month a year earlier and posting the tenth consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
Domestic production in December recorded the tenth straight month of year-on-year expansion, rising to 115,326 units for a substantial gain of 22.8% over December 2001. That increase was driven in part by robust sales of the new generations of the March and the Cube in the domestic market. Other significant contributions were made by the Infiniti FX45 and FX35 premium crossover SUVs that were released in the North American market this month, the new Murano crossover SUV that was rolled out in North America in December last year, the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) for the Japanese and North American markets and the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan) sold in North America.
Overseas production stood at 72,384 units in December, down 6.7% from the same month a year ago. In the U.S., production totaled 24,846 units, off 6.2% from a year earlier owing to a drop in light truck output. In Mexico, production came to 14,041 units, down 28% from a year ago on account of fewer operating days in December than in the same month of 2001. In the U.K. as well, fewer operating days last month brought production down to 14,477 units, a decline of 3.6% from the same month a year earlier. Production in Spain also fell below the level of December 2001, dropping 9% to 5,106 units because of a decline in passenger car output.
Production (Calendar year 2002)
In calendar year 2002 Nissan's global production advanced 8.1% over the previous calendar year to total 2,690,295 units.
Domestic production in the 2002 calendar year came to 1,392,439 units, posting an annual gain of 9.6% and surpassing the level of the previous 12-month period for the first time in five years. Vehicle production for the domestic market was boosted by robust demand for the new March and the new Elgrand, as well as by the strong sales showing of the Wingroad and the Serena. Export vehicle production increased due to the contributions of the Infiniti G35 (Skyline in Japan), the 350Z and the Murano crossover SUV, all of which were newly launched in the North American market, as well as that of the X‑TRAIL and other models shipped to markets throughout the world except North America.
Nissan's overseas production in calendar year 2002 totaled 1,297,856 units, up 6.5% over the previous calendar year. That production figure was the highest ever on a calendar-year basis.
In the U.S., Nissan's production in the 2002 calendar year showed a large gain of 25.6% over 2001, rising to 409,806 units, supported by record-breaking sales of the new Altima. Production in Mexico also exceeded the level of the previous calendar year, advancing 3.6% to total 340,658 units, thanks in large part to the start of full-scale production of the new Platina in April last year.
In Europe, production in the U.K. in calendar year 2002 totaled 297,719 units, exceeding the previous year's figure by 0.3% because of the contribution of the new Primera that went into production early last year. Production in Spain declined 38.2% from the previous calendar year to total 84,919 units.
Sales (December)
In December Nissan's domestic registrations came to 48,196 units, up 3.1% over the same month a year earlier and recording the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Newly released models continued their strong sales showing, including the new March that has sustained robust sales since it was rolled out last March, the new Fairlady Z that was launched last July and the new-generation Cube that was released last October. Nissan's domestic market share in December stood at 16%.
Including minicars, Nissan's domestic sales for the month totaled 50,796 units, up 8.6% over December 2001. Sales of the new Moco came to 2,600 units. Including the minicar segment, Nissan's domestic market share was 11.8% in December.
In the U.S., Nissan's December sales totaled 57,499 units, down 6% from the same month a year ago because of the falloff in light truck sales. On the positive side, the new Altima set an all-time sales high for the month of December, and the Murano crossover SUV also got off to an excellent sales start. Additionally, the Infiniti Division recorded its highest-ever sales figure for the month of December, as sales showed a large year-on-year gain of 42.3% to reach 8,091 units, propelled by robust demand for the Infiniti G35. December sales in Canada rose 7.4% over the same month a year ago to total 4,990 units, and sales in Mexico advanced 6% to 21,952 units.
In Europe, Nissan's sales in December came to 37,719 units, posting a year-on-year advance of 14.5%. In addition to the continued strong sales performance of the X‑TRAIL, the new Primera and the Pickup also maintained high sales levels.
Sales (Calendar year 2002)
In calendar year 2002 Nissan's domestic sales, including minicars, totaled 773,743 units, up 5.8% over the previous year. That advance was driven largely by brisk demand for the new generations of the March and the Elgrand and the newly launched Fairlady Z, among other models, as well as by the excellent sales showing of the Wingroad and the Serena that underwent a minor model change in 2001. Another contributing factor was the strong sales performance of the Moco minicar that was launched last April. As a result, Nissan's domestic market share, including the minicar segment, stood at 13.3% for a 0.9-point gain over the year before. Domestic registrations for the year totaled 736,747 units, up 0.7% over 2001, and Nissan's share of domestic registrations rose to 18.6%, posting a 0.6-point increase over the previous calendar year.
In the U.S., Nissan's sales in calendar year 2002 totaled 739,525 units, up 5.1% over 2001. That advance was driven by the record-shattering sales performance of the new Altima, which set a new monthly sales record for six consecutive months, in addition to the robust sales showing of the newly launched Infiniti G35 and the 350Z. It is especially noteworthy that the Infiniti Division recorded its highest-ever sales volume for the calendar year, selling 87,911 units for a large gain of 23.2% over 2001. Nissan's sales in calendar year 2002 in Canada rose 14.1% over the previous year to reach 64,661 units, and sales in Mexico also showed a year-on-year gain of 11.1% to total 211,648 units.
In Europe, Nissan's sales in the 2002 calendar year came to 474,063 units, off 3.9% from 2001.
Exports from Japan (December)
In December Nissan's exports surged 31.2% over the same month a year ago to total 64,423 units, registering the eleventh straight month of year-on-year growth. Contributing to that increase were shipments of the Infiniti FX45 and FX35 premium crossover SUV models that were launched in the North American market this month, the Murano crossover SUV, the 350Z and the Infiniti G35 to the North American market and the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, notably Europe. In addition, shipments of the Pickup to Europe also rose substantially.
Exports from Japan (Calendar year 2002)
In calendar year 2002 Nissan's exports came to 672,671 units, a dramatic gain of 20.8% over 2001, marking the first time in four years that exports surpassed the level of the previous calendar year. Robust shipments were seen for the X‑TRAIL and the Pickup to overseas markets, excluding North America, and the Infiniti G35, the 350Z and the Murano to the North American market, among other models. Vehicle exports to all overseas regions surpassed 2001's levels.