NISSAN SALES IN W. EUROPE UP BY 17% IN SEPTEMBER

2009/10/07

NISSAN SALES IN W. EUROPE UP BY 17% IN SEPTEMBER

Scrap incentive schemes in Western European markets continue to boost sales, with Nissan reporting a 17% increase in Western Europe. 

ROLLE, Switzerland (Oct. 7, 2009) - Nissan in Europe has reported sales of 54,831 units in September, representing a decrease of 8% year on year. Overall TIV was down 7% versus September 2008.  Market share is holding at a steady 3% overall.

In Western Europe, where total industry volume is up by 5%, Nissan reported a significant increase of 17% in September compared to last year, adding to good performances reported in July and August. This sales boost can be attributed to models such as Qashqai, Pixo, Micra and Note, which are meeting higher customer demand for smaller cars in these markets. In addition, Nissan again improved its market share in each of its major Western European markets versus previous year.

These positive results were offset by the challenging market context in Russia, where falling TIV (-54%) and unfavourable exchange rates are strongly impacting Nissan sales.

Bernard Loire, Vice President Sales Operations for Nissan in Europe commented:

“We are seeing significant differences between our Western Europe and Eastern Europe markets.”

“One year after the start of the global economic crisis, Western Europe markets appear to be stabilizing, in large part due to scrap incentive schemes in those markets. We are showing very strong sales results and improving market share - an excellent sign!”

“However, we remain cautious, as our Eastern Europe markets - in particular Russia - do not yet show signs of recovery and the scrap incentive schemes, when they are discontinued, could also impact sales in those markets.”

Key markets highlights:

·              Market share comparison (Sept 09 vs Sept 08) across key Western European markets: UK (4.3% vs 3.6%), Germany (1.9% vs 1.7%), Italy (2.8% vs 2.6%), France (2.1% vs 1.6%) & Spain (3.9% vs 3.2%)

·              Eastern Europe still impacted by economic crisis: Russia, Ukraine & Kazakhstan are still suffering with falling TIV’s (-54% vs 2008 ), a Market share drop (3.9% vs 5.6% last year) and a high decrease in volumes (-11,883 units)

TOP 10 COUNTRIES for September 2009

Product Highlights

·              Qashqai/Qashqai+2 (21,382) & Pixo (5,363) continue to exceed expectations with strong order banks

·              Micra sales (10,445) exceeded 2008 sales with strong demand (+3.93%) mainly due to scrap incentive schemes; bearing in mind that this is its last year of production

TOP 10 PRODUCTS for September 09

About Nissan in Europe

Nissan employs around 12,500 people in its European design, research and development, manufacturing, logistics, and sales and marketing operations. In calendar year 2008, the company sold 601,647 vehicles across 40 markets in Western and Eastern Europe including Russia. Furthermore, the company produced a total of 539,580 vehicles in its Spanish and British plants.

For more information, please go to www.nissaneurope-newsbureau.com

- ends -

CONTACT

For further information on all markets, please contact Nissan Corporate Communications - Europe.

Laura Jacquier, NE Corporate Communications, Nissan Europe SAS, +33 1 30 13 66 42 ;

E-mail: ljacquier@nissan-europe.com

Isabelle Huet, NE Corporate Communications, Nissan Europe SAS, +33 130 135 644

E-mail: ihuet@nissan-europe.com

Editor’s Notes:

(*)        The sales figures quoted are retail sales figures for a large European scope covering all of Nissan Europe’s markets including the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Baltic States, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Israel and the French Overseas Territories.

            These figures are not to be confused with the figures published by the ACEA who report registration          figures and do not cover such a broad European scope as Nissan.

The market shares provided are based on the provisional Total Industry Volume (TIV) figures.