Nissan sets all-time record sales in Europe

Nissan broke its own sales record for Europe in 2011, achieving ‘best ever' market share in the region and surpassing 2010 by more than 140,000 units.
In the 2011 calendar year Nissan posted European sales of 695,702 units – 25% up on the previous record of 2010. This resulted in an average market share of 3.7%, setting yet another record and topping 2010 by 0.6%. The year also ended strongly with December sales of 57,493 units, meaning Nissan out-sold its 2010 total in each month of 2011.
The company is now on track to achieve its ambition of becoming the largest Asian brand by volume in Europe by 2016, as part of its ‘Nissan Power 88' mid term plan announced in June last year. 
"Despite the significant challenges we faced in 2011, including the devastating earthquake in Japan, Nissan has never been stronger in Europe," said Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing in Europe.
"Overall, Nissan produces around 70% of vehicles sold within the region at plants in the UK, Spain and Russia. This includes the 430,000 Qashqais and Jukes manufactured at our plant in Sunderland in 2011, cementing Nissan's position as the ‘number one' crossover manufacturer."
"We are also the leading Electric Vehicle manufacturer having launched the LEAF in a growing number of European countries throughout 2011."
The main contributor in 2011 was the Sunderland-built family of crossovers, with Qashqai achieving more than 250,000 sales (including the 7-seat ‘Qashqai +2' derivative) and Juke securing over 123,000 sales in its first full year of production.
The new Micra supermini also contributed more then 75,000 sales while demand for the X-Trail SUV more than tripled year-on-year to 33,000 units. The Navara pickup, manufactured at the Barcelona plant, increased sales by 50% to above 23,000 units.
Nissan saw significant growth in most of its major European markets in 2011.
In Russia, where it is the top-selling Japanese manufacturer, sales increased by 75% – or nearly 60,000 units – on 2010. Nissan now holds around 5.5% of the overall Russian market and in May launched a third production shift at its plant in St Petersburg to support the introduction of Murano, the plant's third model.
The UK also significantly increased year-on-year sales by 11% to 107,000 units, together with France (+31%), Germany (+18%) and Italy (+16%).