Nissan Sales Jump 19.4% In December - Infiniti Sales Rise 10.1%

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported December 2009 sales of 73,404 units versus 62,101 units a year earlier, an increase of 18.2 percent. Nissan Division sales rose 19.4 percent for the month, while sales of Infiniti vehicles were 10.1 percent higher than a year before.

For calendar year 2009, combined Nissan and Infiniti sales totaled 770,103 vehicles, compared with 951,350 vehicles sold in 2008, a 19.1 percent decline.

"The industry is coming out of a very tough year; it's good to see 2009 behind us," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, NNA. "Despite the huge challenges and uncertainties of last year, combined Nissan and Infiniti market share set a record in 2009. And looking ahead, we're encouraged by some signs of economic improvement. Showroom traffic is building and consumer confidence is rising.

"For Nissan and Infiniti, fiscal year 2010 promises to be one of our most-active, new-vehicle launch years in recent history as we introduce eight new vehicles in the U.S. market, including the Nissan LEAF battery-electric car," Carolin said. "We're anticipating great receptions for all of our vehicles."

NNA INFORMATION

• Combined Nissan and Infiniti sales of 73,404 units in December 2009 were 18.2 percent higher than December sales a year before of 62,101 units.
• To ensure consistency in global sales reporting, Nissan North America calculates monthly variances on a straight-percentage basis, unadjusted for the number of selling days. December had 28 selling days, compared with 26 selling days in December a year before.

NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS

• Nissan Division posted sales of 64,296 units in December compared with 53,829 units sold in December 2008, a 19.4 percent increase.
• Nissan Versa sales in December set a record for the month at 6,809 units, a 32.5 percent increase over December 2008 sales.
• Other Nissan models with double-digit, year-over-year sales increases in December were Maxima (59.5 percent), Z (63 percent), Frontier (113.1 percent), Xterra (14.9 percent), Pathfinder (49.2 percent) and Armada (75.8 percent).
• For calendar year 2009, Rogue set a record of 77,222 sales, a 7.2 percent increase over 2008, and sales of Maxima and Z saw increases of 13.3 percent and 26.9 percent, respectively, compared with calendar year 2008 sales.

INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS

• Infiniti sales for December 2009 were 9,108 units, up 10.1 percent from the 8,272 units sold in the same month a year earlier.
• Infiniti EX sales set a December record with 901 units sold, a 2.7 percent increase over the 877 units sold in December 2008.
• December sales of the Infiniti QX56 full-size luxury sport-utility vehicle rose 205.4 percent to 1,136 vehicles compared with December 2008 sales of 372 units.
• Sales of the G37 Coupe totaled 1,626 units in December, a 54.4 percent increase over the same month in 2008, and FX sales were up 29.4 percent, to 1,096 units, compared with December 2008 sales of 847 vehicles.