Nissan 2004 Annual Report Download - page 34

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 34 of the 2004 Nissan annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 92

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • 79
  • 80
  • 81
  • 82
  • 83
  • 84
  • 85
  • 86
  • 87
  • 88
  • 89
  • 90
  • 91
  • 92

Nissan Annual Report 2003
32
Japan
Nissan continued to grow at home,
fighting a flat market with popular models
to realize growth of 2.6 percent to
837,000 units. This also increased market
share by 0.3 percent to 14.2 percent,
including minicars.
This growth was led by the Cube and
Cube Cubic, the March and the X-TRAIL.
Both the Cube and March were ranked in
the top-ten best-selling cars every month
throughout the year. The Moco minicar,
Nissan’s entry model in this important
market segment (vehicles with engine
displacements below 660cc) and the new
Clipper mini commercial vehicle were also
strong sellers.
US
The US automobile market also was
relatively flat in fiscal year 2003—growing
by just one percent—but Nissan showed
very strong growth, with sales jumping
17.9 percent to 856,000 units. This brings
Nissan’s US market share to 5.1 percent,
up from 4.4 percent in fiscal year 2002.
This increased most rapidly in the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2003, with market
share reaching 6.1 percent compared to
the same period in fiscal year 2002.
The Nissan Division grew by 16.1
percent, helped by a richer product mix.
High-margin trucks led the way, with the
Murano and products from the new Canton
Plant driving growth of 34.1 percent.
The popularity of the Altima and Maxima
helped to boost car sales by 6.5 percent.
The Infiniti Division had its best year
ever in fiscal year 2003; sales grew by
29.4 percent, to 124,000 units. The luxury
brand’s G35 sedan and coupe and the
FX35/45 all experienced strong growth
during the year, while the QX56, Infiniti’s
first full-size SUV, was successfully
launched in February 2004.
Europe
Nissan is seeing growing strength in
a market that has been a challenging one
for the company. Sales grew an impressive
14.4 percent in 2003, rising to a total
542,000 units. Sales of the Micra were
especially important; with 175,000 new
Micras sold in its first year on the market,
the car is bringing many important new
customers to the Nissan brand.
US dealership
UK dealership
Japan dealership
MARKETING AND SALES
CUBE CUBIC MURANO ALTIMA
760
733
714
816
837
’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03
19.4%
19.0
17.9
17.8
19.1
Market share (%)*
713
744
719
726
856
’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03
5.1%
4.4
4.2
4.3
4.0
Market share (%)
Japan Unit Sales
/Market Share
(Units: 1000s, including minicar sales)
US Unit Sales
/Market Share
(Units: 1000s, retail sales basis)
*Market share does not
include minicar sales