The company reported net revenue of $23.9 billion (2.90 trillion yen), an increase of 17.6% versus 2.47 trillion yen a year ago. Operating profit was $1.6 billion (193.7 billion yen), up from 122.6 billion yen, a 58.0% increase. Net income was $1.3 billion (152.8 billion yen), an increase of 36.3% versus 112.1 billion yen in the prior year. Nissan unit sales increased 4.4% in a market that increased 1.5%. Market share rose to 5.9%, up from 5.7% the previous year. The company sold 1,294,000 vehicles during the period.
During the period, Nissan launched the all-new Maxima in the U.S. and expanded introduction of the NP300 Frontier to Latin America and the Caribbean. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Murano a “Top Safety Pick Plus” vehicle safety rating, and the Sentra was named top Compact Car in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).
Infiniti improved to the fifth position in the J.D. Power IQS, securing recognition as the largest rank improvement of any brand. All Infiniti models performed above average in their respective segments, and the QX70 and QX80 were awarded top honors in their segments. Nissan continued to benefit from strong sales of models from the Common Module Family developed within the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the Qashqai, Rogue and X-Trail. Nissan ended the period as best-selling Asian brand in Europe.
In the first quarter Nissan maintained its zero-emissions leadership. Total sales since launch of the all-electric LEAF have passed 180,000 units, and the company continued to expand its presence in electric commercial vehicles with the e-NV200. On a management pro forma basis, which includes the proportional consolidation of results from Nissan’s joint venture operation in China, fiscal year first quarter net revenue increased to 3.12 trillion yen, up 16.0% year-on-year. Operating profit was up 41.0% versus the same period last year, to 219.7 billion yen, resulting in a 7.0% operating profit margin.
