EDITION 120 (2011/12/12)

Review of 2011

This is the final newsletter of the year and an opportunity to look back on what has been a good year for Nissan and its dealers despite the continuing difficult trading conditions.

After the first 11 months of the year, Nissan total sales are up 14.5% compared to 2010 and dealer sales have improved by 17.5% once again thank you for your continued support during the year.

Production and wholesale performance from the plant in Rosslyn has been strong despite the knock-on effect of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the north east coast of Japan in March.  As it turned out, Nissan was one of the least affected and was able to return to normal production schedules quicker than most 

The recent introduction of Juke has seen the injection of some new energy into the Nissan brand, which has also benefited this year from the very successful introduction of the new Nissan Micra in May.  Qashqai and X-Trail have maintained excellent sales momentum throughout the year and NP200 has spearheaded strong sales from the most comprehensive LCV line-up in South Africa.

Nissan’s stand proved to be one of the most popular at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October, where the multi award-winning Nissan LEAF, Juke and GT-R were the star attractions.  During the year the all-electric Leaf was awarded the accolades of World Car of the Year, European Car of the Year and Japan Car of the Year.

Nissan Motor’s excellent financial results for the year ended March 31 were followed by the announcement of the Nissan Power 88 mid-term six-year business plan.  This is designed to accelerate the company’s growth globally across new market and segments.

We’ll be back with the first newsletter of 2012 on January 16.

MARKETING NEWS:

Online

The Navara YouTube channel has had over 10 000 views and has been classified as the 72nd most viewed YouTube channel in South Africa for the month of November.

 

Micra Takes Top Honours – 2011 Kinsey Report

“51 vehicles are covered in the 2011 Kinsey Report, and one of the most significant turns out to be the latest Nissan Micra,” – Malcolm Kinsey

After only 6 months in the market Micra has scored a decisive class win in the 2011 Kinsey Report as the entry-level car with the most affordable running costs.  These results prove definitively that the new Micra is a car designed for the current era and beyond.  Not only is it affordable to purchase, it is also more affordable to maintain and run.

In a stunning display of outright affordability, the Micra was the only vehicle in this class to achieve a ratio of parts basket cost versus purchase price comfortably under 30%, the final ratio working out to 22.95%.  This result is even more impressive when you consider the low purchase price of this vehicle class.  In Rand terms, the parts basket for the Micra came to a total of R24 880, while its nearest competitor the Chevrolet Spark Lite LS featured a lower purchase price (by R9700), but the same standard parts basket price was almost R14 000 higher at R38 746.  Other popular makes in this segment featured a parts basket price to purchase price ratio as high as 49.36%, or R60 000 on a purchase price of just more than R120 000.

The success of the new Micra in the respected Kinsey Report confirms that this is a vehicle which has been built to the needs of the modern car buyer, and earnestly approaches cost savings not only on the initial purchase price but for the entire life of the vehicle.