Chevy Volt sets new record with 2,961 sales in October, Nissan Leaf soars to 1,579

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported October U.S. sales of 79,685 units versus 82,346 units a year earlier, down 3.2 percent. Nissan Division sales decreased 6.0 percent for the month at 70,928 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 27.6 percent over the prior year, to 8,757 units.

NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS

• Nissan Division posted sales of 70,928 units, down 6.0 percent from last October’s 75,484 units.
• Sales of the all-new, 2013 Altima increased 12.8 percent to 24,623 units. The all-new Altima debuted this summer. Calendar year-to-date Altima sales now stand up 16.3 percent year-over year.
• The Nissan LEAF all-electric vehicle recorded strong sales of 1,579 units in October, up 86 percent from the prior year.
• Sales of the Pathfinder SUV rose 46.9 percent over the prior year, with sales of 3,043 units. The next-generation Pathfinder will debut later this month.

“Unfortunately, October ended on a down note with Hurricane Sandy causing major disruption throughout the Northeast, which is our strongest performing region with more than 225 area dealers. To lend a helping hand to those affected, Nissan is offering both employee discounts and employee financing to eligible residents in FEMA disaster areas,” said Al Castignetti, vice president, Nissan Division. More information on the program is available at www.insidenissan.com.

INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS

• Infiniti today reported sales of 8,757 units for October, an increase of 27.6 percent from 6,862 units a year earlier.
• With 1,467 deliveries, the Infiniti QX was up 17.9 percent, making it the best October in history for the full-size luxury SUV.
• The Infiniti FX line, now available with a new 325-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine, was up 18.5 percent to 783 units.
• Infiniti’s all-new JX 7-passenger luxury crossover continued its successful launch with 2,084 units sold.
• The 2013 Infiniti M line, supported by newly available all-wheel drive sport packages for both the M37 and M56 models, had sales of 738, up 11.1 percent in October.
• Overall, with its luxury crossovers and SUVs showing sales increases of 93 percent in October, Infiniti was up 27.6 percent in October, its sixth straight month of double-digit sales increases.

Infiniti also announced today it will offer employee pricing and special financing with deferred payments to people in the designated FEMA disaster area who lost vehicles to Hurricane Sandy. “We hope Infiniti’s special pricing and financing programs help people affected by this devastating storm to resume their normal lives,” said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Americas.

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. October had 26 selling days both in 2012 and 2011.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

GM U.S. Sales Increase 5 percent in October
Retail sales up 7 percent, fleet down 2 percent
2012-11-01

DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported its highest October sales in the United States since 2007, with deliveries up 5 percent versus a year ago to 195,764 vehicles. Year-over-year sales to retail customers were up 7 percent and sales to fleet customers were down 2 percent.

“GM had a solid October in a month that was marked by a devastating national tragedy,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations. “All of us at GM are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the extensive damage caused by the storms, but we’re really encouraged by the national and local response, which will speed the recovery.”

GM’s new cars had a standout performance in October.

“With new designs like the Chevrolet Spark, Buick Verano and Cadillac ATS, and a growing reputation for quality and good resale value, we are becoming an even more formidable competitor in every segment – not just traditional GM strongholds like trucks,” McNeil said.

Sales of GM passenger cars increased 15 percent in October compared with a year ago. Crossovers were up 3 percent and sales of full-size pickup trucks were up 8 percent.

• Passenger car sales were driven by a 37 percent increase in Cadillac car sales, a 27 percent increase in Buick car sales and a 12 percent increase in Chevrolet car sales.
• Combined sales of mini, small and compact cars were up 72 percent compared with a year ago, driven by strong Spark and Sonic sales and a 34 percent increase in Cruze sales. Chevrolet dealers also delivered a record 2,961 Volts.
• Crossover sales were driven by double-digit increases for the Cadillac SRX, GMC Acadia and GMC Terrain.
• Overall truck sales were down 2 percent, reflecting lower sales of the GMC and Chevrolet mid-size pickups, which have been discontinued, and large SUVs.

“Year over year, the light vehicle selling rate has increased for eight consecutive quarters without a tailwind from the residential housing sector, but that is starting to change,” said McNeil. “If these trends continue, housing may be the final piece of the puzzle that lifts sales above 15 million units on an annual basis just as GM prepares to launch even more new cars, crossovers and trucks.”

GM will replace 70 percent of its U.S. nameplates with redesigned or all-new vehicles over the course of 2012 – 2013. In anticipation of robust demand, GM has increased its year-end inventory target from the 650,000-unit range to 660,000 to 670,000 units. This change reflects higher planned stocks of new passenger cars. The truck inventory target is unchanged.