Nissan has wrapped up another successful fiscal year, with strong sales results in the region, registering a 6% increase in the company's 2021 Fiscal Year (April 2021 – March 2022) as compared to the previous year. Despite the current market and economic challenges, Nissan sustained a steady performance fueled by sought-after offerings across SUV and sedan segments, reflecting brand affinity with customers in the region.
Building on its SUV dominance, Nissan witnessed a 10% increase in SUV sales across the Gulf region, comprising of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, during the 2021 Fiscal Year (FY21). Contributing to this success were the launch of the 2022 Patrol 70th Anniversary model and the all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder at Expo 2020 Dubai. With SUVs ranging from compact to full-size offerings, Nissan remains committed to catering to the needs of the region’s customers with an extensive and exciting line-up.
Thierry Sabbagh, President of Nissan Saudi Arabia and Managing Director of Nissan Middle East, said: “Our successful performance in FY21 is a clear indicator of our resilience and agility during unprecedented times. In the past year, we’ve introduced a range of exciting products and services to the region and have been able to mirror the successes of Nissan globally. From the introduction of the region’s first manufacturer-backed Certified Pre-Owned program to the launch of our all-inclusive Nissan Service, our customers have remained at the center of our strategy. Enhancing customer journeys across our partner network and on digital platforms, we also supported the implementation of the Nissan Retail Concept across more sales and service facilities in the region. In FY22, we look forward to building on the successes of the past year, with a sustained focus on innovation, quality, and customer experience.”
In a region where large SUVs are of high interest and demand, the rugged X-Terra witnessed a surge in popularity during FY21 as did the iconic Patrol Super Safari with a 26% increase in sales compared to the year before. Echoing the success of larger models, sales of the X-Trail and KICKS increased by 41% and 15% respectively in comparison to FY20, with the latter celebrating its position as the number one crossover with the highest market share in its segment in the UAE and Bahrain.
The popular Sunny, which continues to offer advanced mobility to value conscious buyers in the region, saw a 35% rise in sales during FY21 and retained its position with the highest market share in its segment across the region. The technologically advanced Altima, which debuted Nissan’s advanced ProPILOT driver assist technology in the region earlier in the year, witnessed an 8% increase in sales compared to the previous year, reflecting customers’ desire for intelligent and innovative mobility in the Middle East.
With a strong presence for nearly 70 years, the Middle East continues to serve as a region of opportunity and growth for Nissan. Key markets that contributed towards the sales growth in FY21 included Bahrain which witnessed an increase of 25%, the UAE with an increase of 17%, and Kuwait which registered a 4% increase compared to the same period last year.
The past year also saw Nissan solidify its presence in the region with the introduction of new models including the Patrol NISMO, Altima ProPILOT, KICKS, 2022 Patrol 70th Anniversary model, and all-new 2022 Pathfinder, in addition to conducting the regional showcase of its first all-electric crossover, Ariya. To cater to the varying needs of customers and offer greater choice, Nissan also introduced Nissan Service, its suite of aftersales services to offer customers greater value, convenience, and trust, and introduced the first manufacturer-backed Certified Pre-Owned Program in the region.
Building on the momentum of the past year, Nissan continues to place a sharp focus on furthering its rich legacy in the region by emphasizing advancements in innovation, quality, and customer experiences. A thrilling pipeline of new products and services, as well as the widespread rollout of the Nissan Retail Concept across the brand’s partner network provide a glimpse into the exciting future Nissan is building in its new fiscal year.