Nissan Press Conference at North American International Auto Show, Detroit

Click4Video of Un-Edited and Complete
2006 Detroit Auto Show Press Event

Detroit, Michigan, January 9, 2006: Mr. Ghosn's remarks to press.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome once again to Nissan.

Five years ago, on this very stage, we introduced the dramatic 350Z, with its strong link to Nissan’s sports car heritage. Last October, in Tokyo, we gave you a look at the near future with the unveiling of the dynamic GT-R Proto.

Today, the URGE concept previews yet another dimension of Nissan’s innovative sports car design leadership. With its motorcycle-inspired body, caged interior, integrated gaming system and quick, agile performance, URGE is a spirited, high-excitement sports car for a new generation of youthful Nissan drivers.

Sharing the same spirit as the Z and GT-R Proto, URGE is easily understandable and highly desirable – merging performance and technology in unique ways. We believe that there is a growing market demand for such vehicles, and certainly a place for a car like URGE in Nissan showrooms before the end of the decade.

Vehicles like the GT-R Proto and URGE demonstrate that Nissan has no intention to slow its pace of innovative new model development.

In the past six years, we have nearly doubled the number of models offered by Nissan and Infiniti in North America. We have nearly doubled sales, passing the one-million mark in fiscal year 2004.

Since 1999, we have increased our U.S. market share by more than 2 points in a flat industry – achieving a 58% increase. And we have done so while maintaining below-industry levels of incentives and industry-leading profitability.

Clearly, a SHIFT has been made. But our job is just beginning. “SHIFT_” means that Nissan does things differently, but only for the sake of better performance.

In the midst of a challenging business environment and volatile market conditions, Nissan continues to move in a positive direction... thanks to attractive, competitive products and a more consistent marketing approach.

Nissan’s broadened product lineup – including the introduction of our new mid-sized Pathfinder, Frontier and Xterra and continued popularity of Altima – allowed us to increase sales in 2005 by 10.3%.

For 2006, new products, good products, in the right segments, will be key to continuing our momentum.

Our current three-year business plan, NISSAN Value-Up, calls for us to introduce 28 new vehicles worldwide – 10 new conquest models and 18 replacement models.

Our criteria in developing new products is strict... we do so when we believe we can come to a segment with a product that is unique and with a product that meets customers’ needs.

In the all-new 2007 Versa hatchback and Versa sedan, we have just such a product.

With the new Versa, Nissan offers excellent value in the entry-level segment... and leads in answering critical consumer needs, such as spirited performance and a roomy cabin.

Versa is a smart choice, a no-compromise vehicle... one that delivers Nissan quality performance and reliability and gives buyers access to the Nissan brand at a price beginning at $12,000.

Versa also embodies our commitment to the environment and improving fuel efficiency with the expanded use of Continuously Variable Transmissions.

Nissan remains the industry leader in CVTs, in experience, in units in operation, and in applications, with three separate CVT designs in production.

CVTs give customers smooth, responsive performance and a cost-effective way to improve fuel economy. For every one million CVTs in operation, we will deliver environmental benefits equal to 200,000 hybrids.

We are committed to expanding the application of CVTs in a wide range of Nissan vehicles. By fiscal year 2007, ending in March 2008, we aim to sell one million CVT-equipped vehicles worldwide.

In North America, all of our front engine/front-wheel drive vehicles – except Quest and some Versa models – will come with CVTs, including 100% of Sentras, Maximas, Altimas and Muranos sold with automatic transmissions.

We are confident that consumers will embrace CVTs as a widely available, affordable solution to high fuel costs and the demand for greater fuel efficiency.

As buyers turn to smaller, more efficient cars, Nissan offers another new, surprising vehicle in addition to the Versa hatchback and sedan. Ladies and gentlemen, please take a look at the all-new 2007 Nissan Sentra.

The new Sentra and the Versa hatchback and sedan give Nissan three appealing players in the under-$20,000 car segment. The introduction of Versa allows us to totally rethink and reposition Sentra.

As you can see, this longer, wider Sentra is sized and styled like no other Sentra that has come before. Sentra has grown up in look, feel and available features.

As the first North American product built on the Alliance global C-platform, the Sentra offers what we believe will be the largest interior volume in the Compact Sedan class.

More than just roomy, the interior is remarkably functional, with unexpected versatility through thoughtfully designed storage solutions, including a double-folding rear seat and hidden trunk compartment.

The 2007 Sentra introduces our all-new, refined and responsive “MR” 4-cylinder engine series to North America. Coupled to our advanced CVT, the MR engine offers smooth, powerful performance and excellent fuel economy.

This new Sentra is much more than you expect in a compact car – high quality, distinctive, fun and multi-dimensional – the perfect solution for active people on a budget.

And yes, there will be a Sentra SE-R, following in early 2007 – about five months after the launch of this new model.

As we begin the second half of this decade, Nissan is positioned to be a great car and truck company.

We will continue to enhance our trucks and SUVs with new features, new models, including diesels, and greater value.

The new Versa and new Sentra represent the continuation of a promise made in 2003 with the introduction of our full-size Titan and Armada, that Nissan will compete, and compete profitably, in every major product segment.

The next big SHIFT_ – the beginnings of which you see before you in two production models and one potential model – is precisely positioned where the market is heading, toward efficient, attractive, innovative cars.

As the Versa, new Sentra and, later this year, new Quest, new Maxima and all-new Altima designs demonstrate, Nissan will be very aggressive in keeping its products fresh and innovative. People turn to Nissan for products that enrich their lives in newer, better ways, and these new models fulfill that need and that promise.

I hope you will join me in New York in April to see all five of our new 2007 vehicles together.

Nissan has the strategy, the action plans, the products and – more than anything else – the people, the focus and the passion to maintain its momentum in the year – and years – ahead. You can continue to expect the best from Nissan.

Thank you."