Nissan to add value in business

Nissan has introduced its new three-year business plan, Nissan Value-Up, which will see the company boost global sales by 25% to 4.2m in the next three years. Under the new strategy, Nissan will launch 28 new models and introduce the Infiniti premium brand worldwide, including Britain in 2008.

In the UK, Nissan intends to consolidate its position on the back of new models. “We have new niche products coming and we hope to focus on these rather than just relying on volume sectors, such as the D-segment, which are in decline,” says a spokesman. Earlier this year, Nissan president Carlos Ghosn, who this month became Renault president, told AM that no decision had been made on whether the D-sector Primera will be replaced. He stressed that Nissan would only make cars that were profitable.

Nissan sold just over 90,000 cars in the UK last year, down almost 15%, but enjoyed a record year for LCVs, retailing 14,051 – an increase of 59% on 2003. In line with global expectations, the company is looking to improve its new car performance this year.

Global sales rose 11% last year to more than 3.3m units, with Nissan reporting a 4.4% increase in operating profits.

Nissan is this month offering X-Trail buyers who purchase a new 2005 X-Trail three years’ free servicing and roadside recovery.