Kicks crossover helps Nissan notch record sales and market share in Latin America

Nissan Latin America has reached record levels of both sales and market share in fiscal year 2016, the growth being driven by new vehicles including the Kicks crossover. Through March, Nissan sold 181,027 vehicles in 12 months, 6 percent more than in the previous year. Market share reached a peak of 4.6 percent; in March it reached 5.7 percent, a record for that month.

Nissan says it views Latin America as an important region. Last year, it introduced good-looking models with innovative technologies; these include the Murano, Sentra, Pathfinder and Kicks. Designed for Latin American costumers, the Kicks is the first global model that Nissan initially launched in the region.

The Japanese automaker also met its sales objectives for the fiscal year in other markets. It saw the best results in 17 years in Brazil. Market share for fiscal year 2016 was 3.4 percent – a 12 percent increase over the previous year. In March, Nissan Brazil sold 8,674 vehicles, reaching a market share of 4.7 percent.

With just a year and a half of operating, Nissan Argentina increased sales volume 40 percent with respect to the previous fiscal year. The company sold 1,472 units in March, a sales record.

And in Colombia, it reached third place in sales for the second year in a row, with a market share of 9.5 percent in March and 8.1 percent in fiscal year 2016.

Kicks headed for India

In India, Nissan is looking to re-enter the premium segment in the hopes of boosting its brand image. The carmaker is eyeing the launch of the Kicks SUV, revealed internationally last year, to change its fortunes in the Indian market. The India-bound Kicks though is set to be a completely different vehicle compared to its international counterpart despite sharing similar styling.