- Nissan’s North American sales increase 12 percent in 2014, more than double overall industry performance; market share rises to 9.3 percent, up 0.6 points
- North American production rises 21 percent; U.S. production +24 percent; Mexico +18 percent
- Smyrna, Tennessee facility becomes the top-producing automotive manufacturing plant in North America through first half of 2014
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Through the first seven months of 2014, Nissan has delivered a record-setting performance in North America with sales, market share and vehicle production gains across the region, highlighted by the company’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, which has become the top-producing automotive manufacturing plant in the North American industry so far this year.
This performance, sustained by stronger dealer relations, well-received new products and reduced incentive spending, is providing robust support for the company’s global ‘Power 88′ business plan. That plan, announced by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, aims to achieve a global operating margin of 8 percent as well as a global market share of 8 percent by the end of the company’s fiscal year 2016.
“Nissan’s plans to meet the goals of Power 88 in North America are driving profitable and sustainable growth, through higher sales volumes and lower incentive spending,” said José Muñoz, executive vice president and North American chairman, Nissan Motor Co. “We’ve introduced all-new models that are resonating with customers, ramped up additional production in the region and revamped the way we work with our dealers, and those efforts are paying dividends.”
Sales and market share growth setting records
Fueled by the recent launches of all-new core models, Nissan’s sales have demonstrated consistency and have strongly outperformed the overall markets across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in 2014:
Nissan Sales CYTD 2014
| Jan. – Jul. 2014 | Jan. – Jul. 2013 | +/- vs. 2013 | Total Industry Volume [CYTD Increase] | |
| Canada | 67,535 | 52,228 | +29.3% | 1,085,089 [+4.1%] |
| United States | 825,929 | 733,750 | +12.6% | 9,604,694 [+5.0%] |
| Mexico | 151,106 | 147,266 | +2.6% | 596,571 [+1.3%] |
| Total | 1,044,570 | 933,244 | +11.9% | 11,286,354 [+4.7%] |
Along with these volume gains, Nissan has attained an all-time record North American market share of 9.3 percent in the first seven months of 2014, a gain of 0.6 points by outperforming the overall market and key competitors:
Market Share CYTD 2014
| Jan. – Jul. 2014 | Jan. – Jul. 2013 | +/- vs. 2013 | |
| Canada | 6.2% | 5.0% | +1.2 pts. |
| United States | 8.6% | 8.0% | +0.6 pts. |
| Mexico | 25.3% | 25.0% | +0.3 pts. |
| Total | 9.3% | 8.7% | +0.6 pts. |
“The foundation of Nissan’s strong market performance is keeping production and inventory levels in balance to avoid a return to incentives that drain a company’s bottom line and brand value,” Muñoz said.
Nissan’s 2014 U.S. sales are the highest in the brand’s history, gaining 13 percent to more than 825,000. Nissan’s U.S. market share has increased by 0.6 points so far this year, making it one of the industry’s fastest-growing automakers.
Nissan’s North American sales success extends beyond the U.S. In Mexico, Nissan has been the market leader for 62 consecutive months, with 25.3 percent share so far in 2014. In Canada, Nissan is on a record pace with sales up 29 percent, driven by strong sales growth of new models.
Expanded production in U.S., Mexico
Strong investments and workforce growth at Nissan’s North American manufacturing plants are enabling the strong market performance. Since mid-2011, Nissan has added more than 7,200 manufacturing jobs in the U.S. to increase production capacity. Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant is the industry’s top-producing facility in North America for the first half of 2014, with more than 334,000 vehicles rolling off the plant’s two assembly lines. Overall production at Nissan’s two U.S. plants – Smyrna and Canton, Mississippi – is up 24.1 percent, with both plants now operating on three shifts.
Production CYTD 2014
| Jan. – Jun. 2014 | Jan. – Jun. 2013 | +/- vs. 2013 | |
| Smyrna, Tennessee | 334,082 | 237,779 | +40.5% |
| Canton, Mississippi | 153,769 | 155,255 | -0.9% |
| Aguascalientes I, Mexico | 190,526 | 191,637 | -0.6% |
| Aguascalientes II, Mexico | 74,266 | — | +100% |
| Cuernavaca, Mexico | 147,540 | 158,428 | -6.9% |
| Total: | 900,183 | 743,099 | +21.0% |
Along with the growth of U.S. production, Nissan is expanding its manufacturing base in Mexico where it is already the largest vehicle producer. In late 2013, Nissan began operations at Aguascalientes II, its third manufacturing plant in Mexico, ramping up to full operation in record time. Sentra models being produced at the new plant are now being exported to more than 20 countries. The new plant, along with Nissan’s other assembly facilities in Aguascalientes and Cuernavaca, have increased output by 17.8 percent in 2014.
“Nissan has invested billions of dollars to expand our North American manufacturing operations to ensure that we’re ready to take a larger share of the market both in the region and globally,” said Muñoz. “With models such as the new Murano coming soon, you can expect to see more North American-built Nissans on the road both here and abroad.”