Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported August U.S. sales of 76,827 units versus 105,312 units a year earlier, a decrease of 27 percent compared with the “Cash for Clunkers” fuelled sales in August 2009. Nissan Division sales were down 30.9 percent for the month, while sales of Infiniti vehicles rose 21.9 over a year before. For all of 2010, NNA sales are up 14.2 percent.
NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS
•Nissan vehicles posted sales of 67,399 units in August compared with 97,580 units sold in August the previous year, a decrease of 30.9 percent.
•For 2010, Nissan division sales are up 13 percent at 533,004 units.
•Overall sales of Nissan’s trucks, SUVs and crossovers grew 4.9 percent, led by Armada (up 144.8 percent), Titan (up 39.6 percent) and Xterra (up 30.3 percent).
•Sales of the Rogue crossover totaled 10,133, marking its third-ever monthly total over 10,000 units (Others were August 2009, July 2010).
•Murano crossover sales rose 13.7 percent over the prior year to 5,153 units.
“When you look beyond year-to-year comparisons, there was strength in Nissan’s sales, particularly in the body-on-frame and crossover segments,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “Consumers continue to look to Nissan for our full lineup of quality cars, crossovers and trucks.”
INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS
•Infiniti sales for August were 9,428 units, up 21.9 percent from the 7,732 units sold in the same month a year earlier. Infiniti sales are up 24.8 percent in 2010.
•The all-new, second-generation QX56 luxury SUV set an August record, with 1,249 units sold, a 105.4 percent increase over the prior year.
•Sales of the 2011 Infiniti M luxury sedan rose 102.4 percent to 1,251 units.
•The G sedan saw sales of 3,926 units, up 17.5 percent over the prior year, just before the launch of the new G25 entry luxury sedan.
“Led by both the strength of our product lineup and successful marketing initiatives like our presence on the Emmys, Infiniti continued to build awareness and sales momentum in August,” said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. “With the new G25 entry luxury sedan joining the all-new, red-hot Infiniti M, QX and the rest of the freshened G Line, we expect to continue our gains in the competitive luxury market.”
NOTE: 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. August 2010 had 25 selling days, while August 2009 had 26.
Two months ago California’s five-year run of allowing certain “green” vehicles to travel in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes without actually having a passenger came to an end, sparking debate and raising questions about which vehicles – if any – should be given similar exceptions in the future.
