Nissan Achieves Highest Market Share in Europe for 15 Years

ROLLE, Switzerland, February 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A surge in sales and market-share has seen Nissan overtake rivals to post its highest market share in Europe since 1995.

2010 Highlights in Europe:

    
    - 547,000 unit sales (up 13% vs 2009)
    - Market Share growth continues; highest for 15 years
    - Qashqai sales up 18% to top 235,000 units
    - Significant sales increase across most markets;+62,000 units in
      total
    - Number One Japanese Brand in Russia and in the UK
    - Nissan scoop European Car of the Year and International Van of
      the Year

In a flat market, Nissan sold 547,000 vehicles across the region in 2010 (a 13% year-on-year increase) to secure a 3.1% overall share, up from 2.8% in 2009. This is the 3rd consecutive year of market share growth in Europe.

This performance contributed to Nissan achieving record global sales of 4.08 million units in 2010, surpassing the 4 million mark for the first time and confirming Nissan as the second-largest Asian manufacturer.

Nissan's success in Europe was driven by exceptional demand for established models, such as the Qashqai crossover, as well as six major revisions to the product line-up including the all-new Juke and 2011 GT-R. More than 80% of these Nissan sales are made from European produced models.

Since its sales launch in September last year, Juke has mirrored the impact Qashqai had on the market in 2007. The Juke order bank stands at 66,000 cars, and the compact crossover has already become Nissan's second best-selling European model, underlining Nissan's dominance and leadership in this segment.

Overall demand for Nissan models saw a significant year-on-year increase in most markets including the UK - up 14%, Russia 24% and France 24%. This resulted in Nissan becoming the top-selling Japanese brand in a number of key countries such as the UK and Russia.

Further growth in the region is targeted in 2011, including the major markets of Russia, Spain, UK, France, Italy and Germany.

Simon Thomas, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing for Nissan in Europe said: "In 2010 Nissan outperformed the market, outperformed all our main competitors and outperformed our own expectations.

"Achieving our highest market share for 15 years when the European market fell is phenomenal. It is a clear indication that Nissan's commitment to offer innovative, exciting and segment-defining models to our customers is working.

"This will continue in 2011 with the recent launch of the fourth generation Micra, followed in March by the first European deliveries of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF.

"Today, our product range is one of the most complete and competitive of any manufacturer, and we are expanding it. For that reason, 2011 could be the best ever performance by Nissan in Europe."

This growth has only been possible because of the diligent efforts and investments made to develop the Nissan Franchise Network. Our franchise partners have enjoyed profitable growth in CY 2010 and as a result, continue to improve the quality of the customer experience."

New Micra has already far exceeded expectations in global markets including Japan, Thailand, India and China where it went on sale last year.

Demand for the revolutionary Nissan LEAF is also high, with more than 27,000 orders placed worldwide, including 1,500 in Europe. In November, the Nissan LEAF made history by becoming the first all electric, zero emission car to win the title of '2011 European Car of the Year'.

Nissan also performed strongly in the commercial vehicle sector where sales increased 17% against 2009. This achievement was underpinned by demand for the NV200 compact van - the 2010 'International Van of the Year'.

Additional Information:

    
                       Sales 2010 Market Share 2010  Share Variation
                                                     Vs 2009

    UK                 96135      4.2%               +0.4%
    Russia             79614      6.5% [of Foreign   +0.0%
                                  Brands]
    Germany            60843      2.0%               +0.3%
    Italy              60359      2.8%               +0.3%
    France             59578      2.3%               +0.3%
    Spain              48119      4.4%               +0.3%
    Belgium/Luxembourg 19073      2.8%               +0.2%
    Poland             13229      3.5%               +0.1%
    Portugal            9146      3.5%               +0.7%
    Switzerland         8975      2.8%               +0.4%

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 2010, the company sold 547,000 vehicles across 47 markets in Western and Eastern Europe including Russia. Furthermore, the company produced a total of 390,727 vehicles in its Spanish and British plants.

http://www.newsroom.nissan-europe.com