Nissan U.S. March sales increase 43.3 percent!

[AK370Z]

NISSAN U.S. MARCH SALES INCREASE 43.3 PERCENT
Nissan sales grow 44 percent; Infiniti up 37.3 percent
FRANKLIN, Tenn.


Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported March 2010 sales of 95,468 units versus 66,634 units a year earlier, an increase of 43.3 percent, compared with March 2009.

“As the industry continues to show signs of life, we want to make sure that Nissan continues to get an even bigger piece of the sales pie,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, NNA. "After achieving a record 9 percent share in the first two months of 2010, our 43 percent increase in March confirms Nissan is a big winner in the industry."

NNA INFORMATION
• Combined Nissan and Infiniti sales of 95,468 units were 43.3 percent higher than March sales a year before of 66,634 units.
• To ensure consistency in global sales reporting, Nissan North America calculates monthly variances on a straight-percentage basis, unadjusted for the number of selling days. March 2010 had 26 selling days, compared with 25 selling days in March 2009.
Nissan sales increase 44 percent on strength of both cars, trucks
Nissan Division sales totaled 85,526 units, an increase of 44 percent over March 2009. Nissan set a March record for car sales, including Versa, up 105.1 percent; Maxima, up 93.0 percent; and Altima, up 26.3 percent. Trucks also demonstrated strength, with most models showing double-digit percent increases over March 2009.

“The Nissan division saw sales in March at the highest rate since last August,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “We’re particularly encouraged by the performance of core models like Altima, Versa, Sentra and Rogue, which drive our business.”

NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS
• Nissan vehicles posted sales of 85,526 units in March compared with 59,392 units sold in March the previous year, a 44.0 percent increase.
• Nissan had a record March in passenger car sales, with 59,203 total units sold.
• Versa had its best March ever, with 13,811, up 105.1 percent.
• Rogue also set a March record with 8,395, up 20.2 percent.
Infiniti has best month since August 2008, sparked by all-new 2011 M
Sales of Infiniti vehicles were 37.3 percent higher than a year before, totaling 9,942. The M, buoyed by the launch of the all-new 2011 model, was up 62.5 percent over last March. Sales of the G lineup increased 45.1 percent, and QX56 had another strong month, up 242.4 percent.

“With the launch of the 2011 M sedan, and the unveiling of the all-new 2011 QX this week in New York, this is the strongest Infiniti showroom yet,” said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit.

INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS
• Infiniti sales for March 2010 were 9,942 units, up 37.3 percent from the 7,242 units sold in the same month a year earlier. This was Infiniti’s best sales month since August 2008.
• Infiniti M sales, boosted by the newly-released 2011 model, totaled 1,440, up 62.5 percent.
• Sales of the G Sedan were up 44.5 percent to 4,021 units, and sales of the G Coupe rose 46.7 percent over last March, with 1,650 units.
• The QX56 full-size luxury SUV sales totaled 1,041, up 242.4 percent.
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at Nissan Cars, Hybrid, Trucks, Crossovers, SUVs | Nissan USA and Infiniti Luxury Cars, Crossovers and SUVs | Infiniti USA Official Site.

Source: Nissan/Infiniti News Room

[Cjanik]

very cool.

wonder if its all the Toyota "pending outcome" customers moving on to Nissan

[40th370z]

You think Toyotas little throttle problem helped Nissans sales a bit lol

[AK370Z]

Originally Posted by Cjanik

very cool.

wonder if its all the Toyota "pending outcome" customers moving on to Nissan

I can def see that. Honda hasn't brought anything new to the table in my opinion. Same old accord, civic etc. They got rid of awesome cars like S2000, RSX etc. Between dull Honda lineup and all the Toyota issues(though it's not big but people are sensitive IMO), I think Nissan is doing a fantastic job .

[Xan]

Complete picture:

[o0javi0o]

Originally Posted by AK370Z

I can def see that. Honda hasn't brought anything new to the table in my opinion. Same old accord, civic etc. They got rid of awesome cars like S2000, RSX etc. Between dull Honda lineup and all the Toyota issues(though it's not big but people are sensitive IMO), I think Nissan is doing a fantastic job .

Totally agree.

[cave vulture]

370Z sales down compared to 09 ( 1632) 10 (1095)...... It should be noted that Mar. 09 was the highest sales month. If the 2010 trend continues in April, Nissan will sell about 1000 Zs.

[dad]

Originally Posted by AK370Z

I can def see that. Honda hasn't brought anything new to the table in my opinion. Same old accord, civic etc. They got rid of awesome cars like S2000, RSX etc. Between dull Honda lineup and all the Toyota issues(though it's not big but people are sensitive IMO), I think Nissan is doing a fantastic job .

Honda, good cars, but plain looking, and boring!

[fullmonty]

Originally Posted by cave vulture

370Z sales down compared to 09 ( 1632) 10 (1095)...... It should be noted that Mar. 09 was the highest sales month. If the 2010 trend continues in April, Nissan will sell about 1000 Zs.

Hate to say it but with sales figures like you stated the Z doesn't stand much of a chance aside from a limited number niche vehicle

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by fullmonty

Hate to say it but with sales figures like you stated the Z doesn't stand much of a chance aside from a limited number niche vehicle

Right. That's its only chance and its only mission.

[SiXK]

The obama administration has moved the fuel efficiency standards of 35.5 MPG for the fleet up to 2016. It was set to take effect in 2020.

With the 370Z sales low - something I think Nissan would be fine with in a normal world - you have to wonder what their thoughts will be on the Z. Its certainly going to be one of their lowest MPG cars. How will they be able to justify such a low selling, low mileage car when the govt is requiring a 35.5 MPG fleet standard?

2016 fuel standards will affect the next iteration of the Z, they won't develop a new car to only sell it a year or two. It will be interesting. Will they get its MPG up? Hybrid the Z? Or will they kill it?

[efuseakay]

EcoBoost it!

[ChrisSlicks]

Originally Posted by LSUTurboTiger

The obama administration has moved the fuel efficiency standards of 35.5 MPG for the fleet up to 2016. It was set to take effect in 2020.

With the 370Z sales low - something I think Nissan would be fine with in a normal world - you have to wonder what their thoughts will be on the Z. Its certainly going to be one of their lowest MPG cars. How will they be able to justify such a low selling, low mileage car when the govt is requiring a 35.5 MPG fleet standard?

2016 fuel standards will affect the next iteration of the Z, they won't develop a new car to only sell it a year or two. It will be interesting. Will they get its MPG up? Hybrid the Z? Or will they kill it?

It's all about the averages. If they can sell many cars that get 40 mpg then the small percentage of cars getting around 30 mpg isn't much of an issue. I fully expect the Z to be achieving around 30 mpg by that time thanks to direct injection and maybe better gearing.

The other wild card that people don't always know about is the way that they compute averages for certain hybrids (for the purpose of CAFE only) are different. So for every plug-in hybrid that you sell you essentially get a "bonus", and for full electrics and even bigger bonus. For the purpose of calcuating the average, the full electric car could be considered as getting 360 mpg! As long as Nissan sells a few of those Leaf things their average will be golden. I don't think the final math for electric cars has been finalized yet, but it will boost the average significantly.

[FuszNissan]

Toyota has helped everyone out.

Toyota needed big incentives and rebates to bring customers back to Toyota, and in turn forced every other manufacture to increase their rebates and incentives to stay completive. It was a great boost in sales. Also looks like Toyota is keeping the incentives and rebates in place for April. So expect another big month for Nissan!

Also take into account seasonal states haven't received any 2010 coupes, except for the 40th. For example I have zero 2010 coupes to sell.

[G Fo12ce]

You have to wonder what Nissan's sale would be if they didn't continue to make butt ugly Sentra models.