Nissan’s global production totalled 230,175 units, down 20.5% year-on-year as domestic and overseas production fell.

In the UK, where Nissan is the country’s largest car manufacturer, reduced production of the Almera and Primera, among other vehicles, pushed production down 18.9% year-on-year to 22,909 units.

Domestic Japanese production fell 29.6% year-on-year to 87,518 units, due to lower output of the Note and March compact cars and the X-Trail.

April overseas production decreased 13.5% from the previous year, to 142,657 units; US production dropped 19.6% year-on-year to 53,395 units due to inventory adjustments for 2006 models accompanying a shift to 2007 models.

In Europe, Nissan's April sales fell 5.2% to 46,665 units amid an overall slowdown in demand in Western Europe.

It has also been reported that Nissan was negotiating an extended sub-600cc mini-car supply programme with Suzuki, and that Mitsubishi also hoped to supply more small vehicles which could help Nissan revive its Japanese market share; mini-car sales have recently outpaced the overall market. Both companies currently supply Nissan-branded mini-cars.