Nissan 2014 Annual Report Download - page 8

The past fiscal year was one of progress, defined by solid financial results and
the achievement of important operational goals in several parts of our
business.
The latest 12-month period, covered in this Annual Report, saw Nissan
deliver a 20% increase in net sales to 10.48 trillion yen and a 14% increase
in net income to 389 billion yen*.
This is a creditable result at the mid-point of Power 88, our six-year
strategic plan. As part of that plan, Nissan remains committed to achieving an
operating profit margin of 8% in 2016.
We are making encouraging progress towards that goal, particularly
against a backdrop of intense global competition, sluggish conditions in
Europe and volatile demand in emerging markets. During the past year, we
also strengthened our management structure; set new convergence targets
for the Renault-Nissan Alliance; brought new manufacturing capacity
onstream; unveiled breakthrough products; and continued to pioneer new
technologies.
But we have more to do. Nissan is not yet operating to its full potential.
So we are accelerating efforts to build competitiveness, contain costs and
improve our brand power.
* China JV Equity basis
Power 88 Delivery
Those efforts will reinforce our delivery of the Power 88 plan.
As part of that plan, we last year enhanced our brand presence in every
segment from premium Infiniti to entry-level Datsun – where new models
including Q50 and GO were launched. The Nissan brand saw the all-new
Qashqai and X-Trail introduced to widespread acclaim. In total, Nissan brought
10 new vehicles and 22 new technologies to market in the past year, and will
continue its product offensive in the current fiscal period.
In another pillar of Power 88, Nissan continued to champion zero-
emissions with the all-electric LEAF car and introduction of the e-NV200 van
and wagon. The LEAF now commands almost 50% share of the global
market for EVs, with aggregate sales surpassing 110,000 units. Nissan is
contributing to wider EV adoption by supporting a wider recharging
infrastructure and EV fleet-penetration – not just in developed countries such
as Japan but in growth markets including Bhutan.
Our brand-power and zero-emissions strategies are aligned with the
Power 88 goal of increased sales power. Nissan bolstered its sales presence
by implementing a new six-region sales organization during the year. We
expect this new structure to accelerate the growth achieved in fiscal 2013,
when unit sales rose by 5.6% to 5.19 million, equivalent to global market
share of 6.2%.
A strengthened senior management team also began work to implement
efforts to improve competitiveness, productivity and sales. Hiroto Saikawa
took on the new role of Chief Competitive Officer, charged with improving
Nissan competitiveness and reducing our total delivered cost per vehicle.
Trevor Mann, was appointed Chief Performance Officer with responsibility for
this new market organization. Andy Palmer was also named Chief Planning
Officer, adding responsibility for our zero emission strategy and global
products to his planning and marketing roles. This team is focused on turning
the Power 88 goals into reality.
To our stakeholders
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Carlos Ghosn
President and Chief Executive Officer
07
NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 2014
CEO MESSAGE
CONTENTS
CORPORATE FACE TIME
PERFORMANCE
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
NISSAN POWER 88
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE