Nissan/Infiniti releases new business plan, confirms G37 convertible
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Infiniti G37 coupe.
Carlos Ghosn assembled the press this morning in Japan to announce Nissan/Infiniti's financial results for 2007, and despite sales in Japan dropping by 2.5-percent last year, global sales are up by 8.2-percent, with a 3.0-percent increase in U.S. sales and a massive 17.9-percent bump in Europe. All told, Nissan took in $94.62 billion last year, with a $6.91 billion operating profit. Nissan attributes its successes abroad to the release of 11 new models worldwide, including the Altima Coupe, GT-R, Murano, Infiniti EX CUV and G37 coupe.
The automaker has its sights set firmly on the future, with a five-year plan that focuses on three key commitments: quality leadership, an industry leading zero-emissions vehicle program and a five-percent growth in revenue between 2008 and 2012. The program is called Nissan "GT" 2012, with the "G" standing for "growth" and the "T" for "trust." To achieve those goals, Nissan will be expanding with Infiniti's launch in Europe, along with pushing further into developing markets like India, the Middle East, Brazil, China and Russia. Leading the charge will be 60 all-new models released in the next five years and the debut of 15 new technologies each year from 2009 onwards.
While we're already familiar with most of the vehicles Nissan and Infiniti intends to release in the coming year (Qashqai+2, new Z), two models were officially confirmed: an Infiniti G37 convertible (rumored to sport a retractable hard top) and a "mini SUV." While there's been speculation that a G37 cabrio was on the way, the small 'ute is likely to the rumored 1-series competitor we've reported on before.
Make the jump for Nissan's press release.
PRESS RELEASE
Nissan GT 2012 Mid-term Business Plan Unveiled
TOKYO (May 13, 2008) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced financial results for the fiscal year 2007, ending March 31, 2008, and filed the following results with the Tokyo Stock Exchange:
- Net revenues of 10.824 trillion yen (US $94.62 billion, euro 66.98 billion)
- Operating profit of 790.8 billion yen (US $6.91 billion, euro 4.89 billion)
- Ordinary profit of 766.4 billion yen (US $6.70 billion, euro 4.74 billion)
- Consolidated net income of 482.3 billion yen (US $4.22 billion, euro 2.98 billion)
- Operating profit margin of 7.3%
Nissan sold a record 3,770,000 vehicles worldwide in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 8.2%. In North America, sales were 1,352,000 units, up 1.3%; United States sales were 1,059,000 units, up 3.0%. In Japan, sales were 721,000 units, down 2.5%. In Europe, sales came to 636,000 units, up 17.9%. Sales in General Overseas Markets (GOM) were up 22.1% at 1,061,000 units, surpassing the 1-million mark for the first time.
In fiscal year 2007, Nissan released 11 all-new models globally: Livina, X-TRAIL, Altima Coupe, Atlas truck, Aprio, Infiniti G37 Coupe, Rogue, GT-R, Infiniti EX luxury crossover, Murano and a single-cab version of the Frontier Navara pickup truck.
The company's net automotive cash position stood at 180.3 billion yen (US $1.58 billion, euro 1.12 billion) at the end of fiscal 2007. As originally planned at the start of Nissan Value-Up, Nissan will propose a 20-yen-per-share year-end dividend at the company's annual shareholders' meeting in June, for a full-year dividend of 40 yen per share for fiscal 2007.
"In a challenging and volatile environment, Nissan demonstrated that it has reached the maturity to deliver a high level of performance," said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn.
Nissan GT 2012
Nissan also released an outline of its new five-year business plan called "Nissan GT 2012," which covers the period from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2013. With "G" for growth and "T" for trust, this new plan is focused on the company's long-term performance combined with its responsibilities to stakeholders as a significant global business.
Nissan GT 2012 contains corporate commitments and business breakthroughs. The three commitments are:
1. Quality leadership: In addition to focusing on product quality, the company will continue and accelerate actions to improve service, brand and management quality.
2. Zero-emission vehicle leadership: Nissan will introduce an all-electric vehicle in the U.S. and Japan in 2010 and then mass-market vehicles to consumers globally in 2012.
3. Five percent revenue growth on average over five years (FY2008 to FY2012): Revenue growth will be supported by a product plan that will launch 60 all-new models in the next five years and more than 15 new technologies every year from 2009.
The three commitments of Nissan GT 2012 will be backed by five business breakthroughs:
- Quality leadership
- Zero-emission vehicle leadership
- Business expansion: Infiniti, Light Commercial Vehicles and global entry cars
- Market expansion: India, Middle East, Brazil, Russia and China
- Cost leadership
"Nissan GT 2012 reflects the determination of our company to play a major role in the development of a sustainable mobile society," commented Ghosn. "There's a balance to be sought between the potential growth in world markets and the demand for a cleaner planet. We are convinced that the mass availability of affordable zero-emission vehicles is the most significant breakthrough our industry could deliver, and, together with Renault, Nissan intends to be the breakthrough leader."
FY2008 outlook
The global sales forecast for fiscal 2008 is 3.9 million units. The main contributions to volume growth will come primarily from GOM and Russia. Nissan will launch nine all-new products during fiscal 2008: Teana, Infiniti FX, Maxima, Bakkie successor, Qashqai+2, a mini SUV, Cube, Z and Infiniti G37 Convertible.
In 2008, principal external risks are high commodity and energy prices, volatile foreign exchange and weakening mature automotive markets.
- Based on the company's outlook and assuming foreign exchange rates of 100 yen/dollar and 155 yen/euro, Nissan filed the following forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, with the Tokyo Stock Exchange:
- Consolidated net revenues of 10.35 trillion yen (US $103.50 billion, euro 66.77 billion)
- Operating profit of 550 billion yen (US $5.50 billion, euro 3.55 billion)
- Ordinary profit of 545 billion yen (US $5.45 billion, euro 3.52 billion)
- Net income of 340 billion yen (US $3.40 billion, euro 2.19 billion)
Note 1: Amounts in dollars and euros for the results are translated for the convenience of the reader at the foreign exchange rates of 114.4 yen/dollar and 161.6 yen/euro, the average rates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
Note 2: For the purpose of comparison with FY2007, FY2006 excludes the one-time fifth-quarter inclusion made in 2006 to harmonize the fiscal years of overseas subsidiaries such as Europe and Mexico.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Leaf 11:34AM (5/13/2008)
Sooo... how about that 240SX replacement?
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Steve_S 11:50AM (5/13/2008)
I like the G37 but something about it just doesn't work for me. Perhaps a convertible will do the trick.
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yacoub 12:19PM (5/13/2008)
Well it won't fix the gas-guzzling engines Infiniti uses throughout their line-up. The number one thing I disliked about my G coupe was the mpg. Nice engine, but really annoying mpg. I wish they'd move toward smaller displacement with turbo-charging.
MikeW 2:43PM (5/13/2008)
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2007/_STORY/070323-01-e.html
Over 38mpg & over 36mph overall average.
(they don't say how high the tire pressure was, or what the moving average was)
The 7 speed automatic should help for mileage/performance.
James 11:54AM (5/13/2008)
How does a mini SUV = 1 series competitor? I guess automotive industry execs look at vehicles differently than enthusiasts...
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geo.stewart 12:11PM (5/13/2008)
just when you thought the EX couldnt get any smaller...
I guess it'll be a 2 seater; or with new breakthrough space-saving technology, 2 people will share each of the front two seats for a 4-person two seater.
Ben 1:20PM (5/13/2008)
..with that passenger-folding technology?
The EX is smaller than a Focus inside.
willll 12:00PM (5/13/2008)
I'd cut out one of my kidneys with a broken beer bottle for a G37 convertible.
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theone 12:13PM (5/13/2008)
I guess the up coming Maxima didnt even come to mind when they announced the new models.
nystateofmind 12:21PM (5/13/2008)
awd g37 being released this fall. The convertible g37 will be released next spring. no word weather awd will be available with the convertible. g37 sedan will be available this fall as well.
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Cire 12:26PM (5/13/2008)
This is a bit off the subject, but I still think Nissan would be a perfect candidate for a development partner for Chrysler LLC after reading this article. It looks like Nissan is on the move and I would love to see Chrysler LLC come along for the ride.
I can see the following products becoming production realities from this partnership:
* Dodge Hornet: 3-door and 5-door subcompact car on Nissan FWD B platform.
* Dodge Demon: Affordable roadster on modified Nissan RWD FM platform.
* Dodge Intrepid (Avenger replacement): Sporty midsize sedan on Nissan FWD D platform.
* Chrysler LeBaron: Compact sedan, coupe-cabrio, and maybe wagon on Nissan RWD FM platform.
* Chrysler Citadel: Compact crossover on Nissan RWD FM platform.
Utilizing/expanding this partnership would definitely help a financially strapped Chrysler LLC develop competitive products in a more cost effective manner.
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JanSolo 12:55PM (5/13/2008)
Undoubtedly, a convertible G37 would sell more cars to women, but as a male G37 owner, I absolutely wish it had more torque, a bit less weight and wasn't such a gas guzzler. It's a fantastic car and the technology within the car is hard to beat in anything less than an S class Mercedes, but Infiniti could sort out a few of these issues in the next MY release and it would only make the car better.
Just for comparison regarding gas usage - my wife bought a new 2008 Pathfinder LE with a V8. It's big, burly 5.6 liter V8 in a 4868 pound SUV, but it manages to make 388 pounds of torque and 310 hp. Our driving styles are roughly the same, yet she manages 18 mpg on average. For comparison, in my lighter 3700 pound G37S with a 3.7 liter V6 making 330hp and 270 pounds of torque, I average 16 -17 mpg. Even if it were driving style, how much would that change? 1 - 2 mpg either way? Even then, we're talking roughly 1.9 liters of difference and 2 more cylinders.
While Carlos Ghosn speaks of Nissan and Infiniti going greener when it comes to emissions, you'd think the concept of being more eco-minded would include more gas efficient engines and tuning (besides the requisite one off small car and hybrid).
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James 2:31PM (5/13/2008)
You bought a performance coupe to worry about gas mileage?
Tai 2:46PM (5/13/2008)
16-17mpg is really hard to swallow. I believe it's your driving style or something is wrong with the vehicle. You should be getting around 20-21mpg. Are you driving an automatic?
JanSolo 2:55PM (5/13/2008)
I think with the price of gas going upwards, anyone with any kind of common sense would be concerned about efficiency. But, my post above is not so much about the price of gas versus the efficiency of an engine that is not huge by any means versus an engine from the same manufacturer that is altogether bigger and seemingly just as efficient if not moreso if you consider the size and weight of the vehicle it's attached to.
To answer your question, I did not buy a performance coupe just to worry about fuel efficiency, but I am pointing out an obvious issue in my opinion.
It would be interesting to compare the fuel efficiency of the 3.7 liter VQ in the G37 to the V8s in the C63 AMG and the V8 in the new M3.
ItGuy 8:12PM (5/13/2008)
Must be your style. I have an '04 G35 Sedan 6MT and routinely get 22-25 MPG depending on highway or city. Definitely not bad on the gas for the power it makes and the fun I have driving it.
JanSolo 8:33PM (5/13/2008)
I had the same mpg you have when I had my 2005 6MT Sedan, but it all changed when I got the 2008 G37 Coupe. I'm not the only one seeing this and reviews of this car have witnessed the same mpg issues I've experienced.
inteller 1:11PM (5/13/2008)
not sure I would call the EX a success. They are stacking up like cord wood on dealer lots. Partly to blame is the dealers for ordering them with such sorry configurations.
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rouse42 1:14PM (5/13/2008)
the new issue of road and track from the other day has a pic and some info on the new z370
says 350hp and $35000+ looks pretty good. more like an MMC instead of an FMC
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Ben 1:21PM (5/13/2008)
Hardtop 'vert..I'd buy that.
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