Nissan's Carlos Ghosn Starts Press Week in New York

NEW YORK - Feb. 23, 2006: One of the automotive industry's most highly regarded leaders, Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, will be the keynote speaker at this year's New York International Automobile Show/International Motor Press Association press breakfast on Wednesday, April 12, 2006.

In the past six years, under Ghosn's leadership, the number of new models offered by Nissan and Infiniti in North America has nearly doubled. Sales have also nearly doubled, passing the one-million mark in fiscal year 2004. Since 1999, the company has increased its U.S. market share by more than two points - achieving a 58% increase. Ghosn is president and chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., a company with 140,000 employees and $80 billion in revenue. In addition to his current responsibilities at Nissan, he was recently named president and chief executive officer of Renault S.A.

At the event, Ghosn is expected to talk about the dynamics of the U.S. market and reveal how Nissan will address changes in consumer demand brought on by increased fuel costs and changing taste. Globally, Nissan expects to make 10 new model introductions in 2006 and 12 in 2007. As head of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, he is responsible for two separate companies with combined annual worldwide sales of 5.7 million vehicles.

The last time Ghosn delivered the Show's keynote in 2000 he announced "Nissan's Revival Plan." Having completed the recovery phase, Ghosn has now launched a new three-year plan called "value up." The plan involves developing closer relations with Nissan's largest shareholder and calls for 28 new vehicles worldwide - 10 new conquest models and 18 replacement models.

In New York, Ghosn will showcase five new vehicles, including the worldwide reveal of Nissan's all-new Altima, the company's best selling car.

"During a period of rapid change in the industry, Mr. Ghosn's presence at the show is highly anticipated," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealer's Association. "In addition to remarks about the company's growth and future strategies, I anticipate that he will also discuss Nissan's recently announced decision to move its North American headquarters from California to Tennessee."

Prior to joining Nissan, Ghosn served as executive vice president of the Renault Group, a position he had held since December 1996. In addition to supervising Renault activities in the Mercosur, he was responsible for advanced research, car engineering and development, car manufacturing, powertrain operations and purchasing. Before he joined Renault, Ghosn had worked with Michelin for 18 years.

Kicking off the springtime selling season, the 2006 New York International Auto Show will feature an impressive collection of cutting-edge design and remarkable innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world's automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars. More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display at the Javits Center, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibit space. In addition, dozens of World and North American vehicle debuts are expected at the Show. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the New York International Automobile Show online, visit www.autoshowNY.com.

   Important Show Dates
   Press Preview          April 12 & 13
   Public Sneak Preview   April 14
   Public Show Dates      April 14 - April 23