Nissan reports January sales numbers
Nissan North America announced its January sales figures yesterday, having shifted a total of 75,891 vehicles, representing a 0.9-percent decrease over last year. But regardless of the negligible difference in overall sales, there's a real story behind the numbers that will at once surprise, delight, and dishearten fans of the automaker.
For starters, Nissan's Xterra posted a healthy 12.8-increase, perhaps with some thanks due to Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year" committee. And interestingly enough, the company's slippery Murano crossover bagged an almost 30-percent increase over last year. This is particularly curious in light of the plunge taken by the Infiniti FX, which nosedived 35.6-percent. Some of the steep drop-off may be attributable higher-end marques enduring notoriously fickle buyers (many with the wherewithal to purchase such vehicles demand the flavor of the month), but the automaker recently announced an unusually large price hike on the softroader as well. "The House That Bling Built," Infiniti's QX56 also sustained a big to its stern, with sales off 28.3-percent... likely a victim of sustained higher gas prices.
In fact, despite a solid showing from their new M45 sport sedan, Infiniti as a brand took it on the chin, suffering a 7.5-percent decrease versus last January. Other tough sells were the aging G35 sedan (which must now duking it out with a new BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS, among others).
Perhaps the strangest development for January was the surprisingly robust performance of Nissan's jurassic Sentra (no, not that one), which ground out a 19.9-percent increase. And lest anyone mention it, no... Nissan does not break out fleet sales.
In light of many of its most profitable models taking a drubbing, one might also expect that the automaker's profits took a tumble on the month.
(Click on the link for model-by-model sales totals)
[Source: Nissan North America, Inc.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ron21 2:17PM (2/02/2006)
Nissan Altima - 16,758 Nissan's best selling car.
Doesn't suprise me, I see altimas everywhere.
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Alexey 2:19PM (2/02/2006)
These are not on the same platform. Check your facts.
"And interestingly enough, the company's slippery Murano crossover bagged an almost 30-percent increase over last year. This is particularly curious in light of the plunge taken by its upscale platform-mate, the Infiniti FX, which nosedived 35.6-percent."
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Steve S 2:46PM (2/02/2006)
Yay Murano, Woot, woot woot!
2003 SE AWD :)
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Rick M. 2:46PM (2/02/2006)
That's neat how the Murano (FWD/Altima platform) and the FX (RWD/G35 platform) also share the same platform with eachother. The miracles of modern technology!!
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Steve S 2:51PM (2/02/2006)
Yay Murano, Woot, woot woot!
2003 SE AWD :)
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JP 2:53PM (2/02/2006)
#2 is right...
The Murano is Altima based and the FX is G35 based. But it's easy to assume given that they are both crossovers of similar size.
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pete 3:02PM (2/02/2006)
Nissan needs to watch out with their quality problems as my friend with a Nissan maxima has come to understand. Vibrations and transmission problems will probably prevent him from buying another nissan
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Shawn 3:03PM (2/02/2006)
FX is based on the same platform as the 350Z and G35. Murano is based on the same platform as Maxima and Altima.
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Krishna Das 4:21PM (2/02/2006)
Sentra sales up !! Who buys those?
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Tankstelle 4:46PM (2/02/2006)
I've made the Murano / FX mistake myself (at the most inopportune time). I'm getting a little worried about Nissan. They need to do a better job both above and below the Altima before they really start to slide. If it wasn't for that VQ engine they would really be f'd.
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Suds 8:38PM (2/02/2006)
Worried about Nissan above and below the Altima? Check out the data. The Maxima is in a tough slot in the market, but it's getting great reviews. If you move up a notch you've got the G35, which is an awesome car!
Below the Altima... true the Sentra is long in the tooth, but let's give the new Sentra a chance before we get all worried. I've read it's a year late coming to the dance because they wanted to be sure and get it right the first time. Most reviewers liked what they saw in Detroit. Now they have an economy car that supposedly has best in class interior space and gets close to 40 mpg. Let's wait and see how that turns out.
Why not worry about Toyota, a company that led the league in recalls last year and rally hosed up their hybrid SUVs by making them too expensive and too inefficient. Then there's the Mazda-clone Camry that's dull as dirt.
I really think Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are going to be just fine. I can't say that about everyone else - including the ing of the hill right now.
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Chris Paukert 9:18PM (2/02/2006)
Mea culpa on the platform-sharing shenanigans... apparently I shouldn't be writing at 2am (at least not *every* night). Of course you're right, and the article has been reflected to change this oversight.
Cheers!
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Tankstelle 8:14AM (2/03/2006)
lol Suds, you tell me to check out the data and then make excuses why the data doesn't look so hot. I'm rooting for them, I just think that their cars are getting old looking, the Sentra redesign wasn't anything special, and they treat their employees like sh*t ("thx for all the hard work guys, now pack your bags for Nashville or get the hell outta here").
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