Nissan to reach 10 million milestone in Europe
13 May 2005, Trappes, France - Nissan will sell its 10 millionth car in Europe this summer. The historic milestone will be marked by a series of celebrations and a special advertising campaign across the major markets of Western Europe.
In the early eighties, the Japanese car maker switched from using the export brand name of Datsun to Nissan for all its vehicles worldwide. Since 1984 to the end April 2005, Nissan has achieved 9,803,000 sales across 17 countries of Western Europe. The countdown has now begun and is poised to arrive around the summer.
Brian Carolin, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Nissan Europe in Paris said, "We're proud of our heritage in Europe and the 10 millionth vehicle sold will be a true testament of not only our longevity but that our customers appreciate high-quality vehicles with an expressive design, driving performance and intelligent and functional interiors."
With Nissan's expanding range and its busiest year for launch activity with six all-new model introductions, it will be difficult to predict in which country the 10 millionth vehicle will be sold - or indeed, where it will have been made. It could be a Micra from NMUK in Sunderland, England, or a Pathfinder from NMISA in Barcelona, Spain.
So far this year, Nissan has launched Murano, a crossover SUV, Pathfinder, an all-new 4x4 built in Spain, and the 350Z Roadster. The Navara Double Cab Pick-up made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and the Navara King Cab was unveiled at the Barcelona Motor Show in May. Navara will be built alongside Pathfinder in Spain and is launched this summer.
In the Autumn, Nissan will launch the UK-built Micra C+C, the coupe cabriolet version of its best-selling small car.
Nissan's biggest market in Europe is the UK where 105,000 cars were sold last year followed by Italy, Spain, Germany and France. Its fastest growing market is Russia where more than 28,000 vehicles were sold last year.
The campaign will highlight Nissan's "SHIFT_" strategy by inviting customers to SHIFT_to one. More news on the 10millionth Nissan to be sold in Europe will follow when it happens.