Nissan Division Reports March Sales
2 April 1998
Nissan Division Reports March Sales
CARSON, Calif., April 1 -- The Nissan Division of Nissan
Motor Corporation U.S.A. (NMC) reported total sales of 46,568 units, with all
models showing increases over last month.
"As expected, March sales were well below last March when we had a very
aggressive sales push and set an all-time one-month sales record," said Mike
Seergy, vice president, Nissan Division. "We went into the month knowing we
could not match that record performance. The good news is that March non-
fleet sales were up 15 percent over February, and every model was up over
February. And the particularly good news is that Frontier and Altima had
record months."
The all-new Altima had its best month since launch, with sales of 14,171
units, up 9.7 percent over last year and 4.3 percent over last month. Maxima
turned in sales of 9,862 units, and Sentra posted sales of 5,177 units. March
sedan sales totaled 29,210 units.
The new Frontier truck also had its best month since launch, with sales up
37.8 percent over last month. Total pickup sales, including the Frontier,
were 7,078 units. Pathfinder had its strongest month since August, up 13.4
percent over last year, with sales of 6,735 units. Nissan Quest recorded
sales of 2,274 units, bringing combined truck sales to 16,087 units for the
month.
Combined sales for Nissan and Infiniti Divisions for March totaled 52,120
units. Sales of Nissan's North American-produced vehicles accounted for 63.8
percent of March sales. Calendar year-to-date sales totaled 125,830, a 32.1
percent decrease versus 1996.
"Various factors indicated the final quarter (Jan. to March 1998) of our
fiscal year would not meet expectations," said Seergy. "These included the
transitioning of marketing activities, a more balanced approach to achieving
sales volume, continuing reduced reliance on fleet and the effect of a slowing
compact vehicle segment. Also, in California, February and March storms
impacted negatively on showroom traffic.
"These are all valid reasons; however, we're not using them as an excuse
to stand still," Seergy said. "In April, we hope to see the third month of
month-over-month increases and a significantly stronger showing than March, as
well as an increase over the prior year. And overall, despite a highly
competitive market, we are confident that our refocused marketing and product
strategy for the coming fiscal year, combined with recent organizational
changes, will energize Nissan's future performance."
Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A., which includes the Infiniti luxury
division, markets and distributes Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in the United
States to more than 1,200 dealers.
NOTE: All numbers include Hawaii. Percentage changes based on DSR.
NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION U.S.A.
Sales Report - March 1998
Month-End Results
Cur. Year DSR % CYTD Year DSR %
Month Ago +/- Total Ago +/-
Nissan Motor
Corporation-Total 52,120 90,356 -37.7 139,266 209,222 -30.7
Selling Days 25 27 -- 73 76 --
Nissan Division
Total Sales 46,568 83,095 -39.5 125,830 192,845 -32.1
NORTH AMERICA
(Memo)
- Car 20,341 34,485 -36.3 55,148 87,702 -34.5
- Truck 9,352 26,392 -61.7 24,026 49,790 -49.8
- Total North
America 29,693 60,877 -47.3 79,174 137,492 -40.0
IMPORT
- Car 10,140 15,803 -30.7 27,890 36,646 -20.8
- Truck 6,735 6,415 13.4 18,766 18,707 4.4
- Total Import 16,875 22,218 -18.0 46,656 55,353 -12.2
- Total Car 30,481 50,288 -34.5 83,038 124,348 -30.5
- Total Truck 16,087 32,807 -47.0 42,792 68,497 -35.0
- (Hawaii)* 594 357 -- 1,466 1,298 --
Infiniti Division
Total Sales 5,552 7,261 -17.4 13,436 16,377 -14.6
- Total Car 3,959 5,723 -25.3 9,342 12,146 -19.9
- Total Truck 1,593 1,538 11.9 4,094 4,231 0.7
- (Hawaii)* 12 13 -- 53 43 --
TOTAL IMPORT
- Car 14,099 21,526 -29.3 37,232 48,792 -20.6
- Truck 8,328 7,953 13.1 22,860 22,938 3.8
- Total Import 22,427 29,479 -17.8 60,092 71,730 -12.8
ALL NUMBERS INCLUDE HAWAII
* Hawaii is broken out separately for information only.
SOURCE Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A.
