Dongfeng Nissan '08 sales up 29% to 350,000 units

Shanghai, January 12 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Nissan sold 350,000 vehicles in 2008, up 29.63% from 2007, exceeding its sales target of the year and ranking sixth in the top 10 Chinese automakers in 2008 passenger vehicles sales, according to data from China Passenger Car Association, reported Nanfang Daily on Sunday.

Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Co, a joint venture founded five years ago, has made legendary sales achievements in China's auto industry. While most automakers in China had cut their sales targets but still miss the goal for 2008 amid the financial crisis and market downturn, Dongfeng Nissan had surpassing its initially set 2008 sales targets, scored a nearly 30% sales growth and gaining 9.3% market share.

In November, Dongfeng Nissan had already fulfilled its sales goal of 2008 by selling 345,000 vehicles, nearly 38% of which are of the Tiida model. The Tiida model sold about 140,000 units last year. The successful sales of Tiida are partly attributed to the "Dongfeng Nissan" brand name boosted by the New Teana model. The Qashqai and X-Trail SUV models had also drawn more buyers to Dongfeng Nissan stores.

Dongfeng Nissan aims to increase its sales in 2009 by nearly 15% to 400,000 vehicles, but the growth will be achieved by existing car models. The company has not planned any new car models for next year as the economic climate and market demand are not easy to predict now amid the financial crisis.

Industry experts have said that Nissan Motor, like other two Japanese carmakers Honda and Toyota, has built up powerful dynamics for good brand recognition and sustainable growth in the Chinese auto market.