Nissan expects China sales to grow 15% in '09

Toshiaki Otani, an executive of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. of Japan, forecasted the [Nissan] sales in China would reach 385,000 to 395,000 cars in 2009, 12-15% higher than that in 2008.

Although the economy slows down, China will suffer a very little influence from the international economic crisis, compared with the US, Japan, and Europe, believed Mr. Otani, who is the general manager of Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Co., one of the two Chinese joint ventures of Nissan Motor.

Where the market will go is still beyond prediction, but Nissan Motor can foresee the total sales of passenger cars in China would increase 40,000 to 50,000 cars next year. The company is almost sure that it will sell no less than 345,000 cars in the Chinese market in 2008.

Established in 2003, Dongfeng Nissan is mainly engaged in passenger vehicle manufacturing and sales. The venture just sold 1 millionth car in September 2008 and successfully edged in the top three carmakers in China by sales in November.