Nissan Achieves Highest Ever Market Share in Europe

ROLLE, Switzerland, October 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Nissan is Largest Asian Brand in Europe for September -

 - Record European market share of 4.2% (+0.9% vs 2010)

 - Best ever September sales of 73,713 (+31% vs 2010)

 - Calendar Year to Date sales of 521K (+29% vs 2010)

 - JUKE crossover records largest monthly sales volume to date

Today Nissan announced its highest ever market share in Europe, breaking a 16-year old record.

Following strong performances across all major markets, Nissan achieved an overall September market share of 4.2% - a record in Europe and almost a full percentage point up on 2010. Nissan's previous highest market share was 4.1% achieved in August 1995.

The record month shows the company is on track to achieve one of the challenges contained in its 'Nissan Power 88' mid term plan, to establish Nissan as the largest volume Asian brand in Europe by 2016.

September sales totalled 73,713 units (nearly 17,500 units up year-on-year) driven by robust sales of Nissan's crossover family of vehicles, including Qashqai with 23,000 sales and JUKE with more than 14,000 sales (its highest monthly volume to date by almost 3,000 units).

Nissan's broad range of SUVs also contributed to the record month with the Barcelona-built Pathfinder tripling year-on-year sales; the Navara pickup - also produced in Spain - up 44% and X-TRAIL up 14% with over 3,000 sales.

Calendar year to date, Nissan has now broken the half a million barrier having sold around 521,000 units - more than 117,000 over the same period in 2010.

Nissan's largest markets in September were the UK, with more than 19,000 sales, and Russia with over 13,000 sales and a 5.5% share of the market. Nissan remains the largest Japanese manufacturer in both the UK and Russia, as well as Spain.

Elsewhere, all key markets within the region enjoyed a very strong month compared to 2010, with France up 19%; Spain up 29%; Germany up 47% and Italy up 60%.

Guillaume Cartier, Nissan VP for Sales Operations in Europe said: "Last month we performed exceptionally across our entire model range and in all our main markets. We not only broke our all time market share record, but also achieved our highest ever September sales volume, out-selling all other Asian manufacturers in the region.

"In June when we unveiled the 'Nissan Power 88' plan we knew our ambition of establishing Nissan as the largest Asian brand in Europe would stretch everyone in the company. Although we recognise the hard work lying ahead, September's results and our performance to date in 2011 represent a strong response to that challenge.

"Over the coming months and years, we will continue aggressively expanding and refreshing our product portfolio in Europe, bringing even more innovative and customer-focused models to the market."

The first of these new models will be the innovative NV400 large van which will expand Nissan's acclaimed LCV range when it goes on sale across Europe later this month.

Nissan is also planning to follow NV400 with the launch of a 100% electric zero-emission small van next year, further supporting Nissan's business expansion plans and underlining the company's commitment to zero emission leadership.

TOP 5 EUROPEAN MARKETS FOR SEPTEMBER

    MARKET         SEPT 2011   VARIANCE VS 10
    UK             19,138      + 16%
    RUSSIA         13,125      + 35%
    GERMANY        7,949       + 47%
    FRANCE         7,369       + 19%
    ITALY          6,443       + 60%

TOP 5 MODELS FOR SEPTEMBER

    MODEL            SEPT 2011   VARIANCE VS 10
    QASHQAI (inc +2) 23,334      +8%
    JUKE             14,707      +562%*
    MICRA            10,132      +5%
    NOTE             5,979       +33%
    X-TRAIL          3,185       +14%

*JUKE sales launch September 2010

About Nissan in Europe

Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 12,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 528,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.