..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
Solid product demand in the US, China and Western Europe as well as the continued benefits of Nissan’s strict cost controls and synergies from its Alliance strategy boosted the 2016 sales record of the auto giant, according to the financial results for the nine-month period to December 31, 2016 released Monday .
“In the first nine months of the fiscal year, Nissan generated an operating profit of 503.2 billion yen, which represents a 6.1% margin on net revenues of 8.26 trillion yen,” Nissan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,Carlos Ghosn, was quoted as saying in the statement. “Although these results reflect continued currency headwinds, we remain confident of achieving our fiscal year guidance.”
Ghosn added: “On a constant currency basis, operating profit rose 30.1% to 764.6 billion yen, equivalent to an 8.1% profit margin. Our underlying performance was enhanced by solid product demand in the US, China and Western Europe, along with the continued benefits of our strict cost controls and synergies from our Alliance strategy.”
On a management pro forma basis, which includes the business results of Nissan’s operations in China, FY16 nine-month net revenue was 9.01 trillion yen. Operating profit was 601.9 billion yen. The operating profit margin was 6.7%.
On a constant currency exchange rate basis, pro-forma net revenues were 10.34 trillion yen and operating profit was 882.2 billion yen, equivalent to a profit margin of 8.5%.
Sales performance
In the first nine months of the fiscal year, Nissan’s total unit sales rose by 2.6% to 3.99 million units.
In the U.S., Nissan’s sales rose by 4.2% to 1.16 million units, equivalent to a market share of 8.7%, amid strong demand for the Rogue and Altima.
Nissan unit sales in China, which reports figures on a calendar year basis, rose 8.2% to 929,000 units, equivalent to market share of 5.0%. In Europe, excluding Russia, Nissan’s sales rose by 5.5% to 474,000 units, which resulted in a market share of 3.6%. The Qashqai SUV and X-Trail helped drive demand in the region.
Nissan’s performance in these key markets helped offset challenging conditions in the Japanese market. Total unit sales in the nine-month period for Japan were 344,000 units, representing a market share of 9.8%. In other markets including Asia and Oceania, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Nissan’s sales decreased 3.9% to 596,000 units.
Outlook
“We expect to deliver solid earnings and strong free cash flow generation for Fiscal Year 2016,” said Ghosn. “The Board remains committed to increasing the full year dividend by 14.3% to 48 yen per share.”
The Company expects to sell 5.6 million units this fiscal year, up 3.3% on fiscal 2015.
