Nissan Production, Sales and Export Results for February 2003
Nissan's domestic production, overseas production, domestic sales and exports all rose over the same month last year, marking the second consecutive month that these four indexes have simultaneously registered year-on-year growth. Additionally, overseas production in particular set a new all-time high in February.
Production
Nissan's global production in February posted the 12th straight month of year-on-year expansion, rising 13.7 % over the same month a year ago to total 248,975 units.
Domestic production for the month came to 138,751 units, a gain of 21.5% over February 2002 and surpassing the previous year's level for the 12th consecutive month. That increase was fueled in part by strong domestic sales of the Teana -- a new luxury sedan that was introduced in early February -- the March and the Cube. Other significant contributors included the new Infiniti FX45/FX35 crossover SUV, and the new Murano SUV, all of which are sold in the North American markets, and the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America) for the Japanese and North American markets.
Nissan's overseas production in February stood at 110,224 units, up 5.1 % over the same month a year earlier, marking a new all-time high record in February. Production in the U.K. advanced 1.1 % over the same month a year earlier, rising to 28,209 units, due to the strong sales start by the new Micra. Moreover, production in Spain jumped 68.7% over February 2002, increasing to 9,384 units, due in large part to the contribution by the new Primastar commercial vehicle.
Production in the U.S. came to 30,743 units, down 14.0 % from February 2002, on account of the decline in light truck output. In Mexico, production totaled 26,091 units, off 3.3 % from a year ago mainly because of fewer operating days this year than in February of last year.
Sales
Nissan's domestic registrations posted the 11th straight month of year-on-year growth, rising to 77,966 units for a 14.1% increase compared with February 2002. Newly released models continued their strong sales performance, including the Teana, the new March, which has maintained robust sales since it was launched in March 2002, the new Fairlady Z and the new Cube. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in February stood at 21.2%, up 1.7 percentage points from the year-ago level.
Including minicars, Nissan's domestic sales in February totaled 81,042 units, an advance of 18.6% over the same month last year. The new Moco posted sales of 3,075 units. Nissan's domestic market share, including minicars, was 15.4% in February, marking 2.2 percentage points increase from February 2002.
In Europe, February sales were up 2.6% from the same month a year ago to total 35,758 units, mainly due to the favorable start of the new Micra, which was released in late January 2003.
In the U.S., February sales came to 51,225 units, down 12.2 % over the same month a year earlier, despite continued robust sales of new models such as the new Murano, the 350Z, the Infiniti FX45/FX35, and the Infiniti G35. In Canada, Nissan's sales in February jumped 18.3% from a year earlier to total 4,800 units, and sales in Mexico came to 19,219 units, up 13.5 % from February 2002.
Exports from Japan
Nissan's exports in February registered the 13th straight month of year-on-year growth, soaring 20.6% over the same month last year to total 60,605 units. Contributing to that increase were strong shipments to North America of the Infiniti FX45/FX35, the new Murano as well as exports of the X‑TRAIL to various overseas markets, particularly Europe.
Correction: In the February 26 press release titled "Nissan Production, Sales and Export Results for January 2003," one fact was misstated. Nissan's share of the domestic registered vehicle market in January stood at 20.1%, surpassing the 20% level on a monthly basis for the first time in six months, since July 2002 (not 23 months, as previously written). We regret the error.