Japanese score big in NA in 1st quarter - Automotive News
North America sales and operating profits climbed higher in the April-June fiscal first quarter at Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries. In the fiscal first quarter, North America emerged as the top-selling market for Nissan, Honda, Subaru and Mazda. At Nissan Motor Co. , North American volume climbed 9 percent to 486,000 vehicles, a record result for any quarter. North American operating profit nearly doubled at Nissan, surging to ¥96. 04 billion ($782. 6 million) from $415. 4 million a year earlier, despite rising incentive spending. North America leapfrogged Japan to become the most profitable region for Japan's No. 2 automaker. "These figures indicate that Nissan is on the right path," Corporate Vice President Joji Tagawa said of the results. North American results should continue to improve as Nissan rolls out redesigns of high-margin nameplates such as the Maxima sedan and Titan pickup, he added. At Honda Motor Co. , North America was again the biggest sales and profit center. Sales rose 11 percent to 497,000, while regional operating profit climbed 64 percent to $888. 2 million. Source: www.autonews.com
