2014 Nissan Pathfinder on 2040-cars

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Nissan beats 2Q expectations with $1.3b profit

Nissan reported its Q1 financial results through the April-June period, and Bloomberg reports that the Japanese automaker beat analyst expectations. The outlet averaged income estimates provided by 11 analysts to come up with a figure of 130.2 billion yen ($1.3 billion), while Reuters' analyst survey returned a estimate of 163 billion yen ($1.6 billion) in operating profit. Nissan easily beat them both with 152.8 billion in net income and 193.7 billion in operating profit. That profit number is up from 122.6 billion yen in the same quarter last year. The surge comes from increased US sales. June sales grew 13 percent, helping propel a 4.5-percent increase for the year so far and the best first-half calendar-year sales Nissan has had in ten years. Higher incentives have helped, as well as superheated Nissan Rogue sales; the crossover moved 99,302 units through the first six months of 2014, this year that number is 135,397, and observers expect its popularity to continue. In contrast to other automakers struggling with the slowdown in China, Nissan isn't doing so badly there. Growth rose by 5.7 percent in the first half of this year, a number that would have been larger but for depressed commercial vehicle sales because of the economy's slowdown. Nissan is sticking with its original targets, sure that government intervention and new models will hold the markets steady enough. The press release below has more information on the numbers. Nissan reports net income of $1.3 billion for first quarter of FY2015 Results for three months to June 30, 2015 (TSE report basis – China JV equity basis)* Acct - Q1 - Y-O-Y Net revenue - JPY2.90 trillion ($23.9 billion/ˆ21.6 billion) - +17.6% Operating profit - JPY193.7 billion ($1.6 billion/ˆ1.4 billion) - +58.0% Ordinary profit - JPY215.9 billion ($1.8 billion/ˆ1.6 billion) - +45.2% Net income** - JPY152.8 billion ($1.3 billion/ˆ1.1 billion) - +36.3% Based on average foreign exchange rates of JPY 121.4/USD and JPY 134.2/EUR YOKOHAMA, Japan , Jul. 29, 2015 – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced fiscal year first quarter financial results for the three months ending June 30, 2015. The company reported net revenue of $23.9 billion (2.90 trillion yen), an increase of 17.6% versus 2.47 trillion yen a year ago. Operating profit was $1.6 billion (193.7 billion yen), up from 122.6 billion yen, a 58.0% increase. Net income was $1.3 billion (152.8 billion yen), an increase of 36.3% versus 112.1 billion yen in the prior year.

Formula Drift kicks off 11th season on Streets of Long Beach

The 2014 Formula Drift series kicked off last weekend in Long Beach, and saw Chris Forsberg, who you'll recall went mad and drifted around a warehouse in an Infiniti M, take the title behind the wheel of his Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z (shown above).
Forsberg really ran away with the first round of competition, outscoring his closest opponent, second-place finisher Kenneth Moen and his Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX, by 20 points. Third place was 2013 championship winner Michael Essa and his Yokohama BMW M3, 30.5 points behind Forsberg.
In the manufacturers' title, Nissan took an early lead with 122 points, which isn't a huge surprise considering five of the top ten drifters were piloting either a Z or a product of the brand's S platform. Ford, which had two drivers (Justin Pawlak and Vaughn Gittin, Jr.) in the top ten, took home second place, while BMW is currently third in the manufacturers' standings.

Infiniti previews four upcoming models on its path to electrify by 2030

Nissan and Infiniti have been “also ran” automakers for years, but a shift to electrification presents new opportunities to break through the noise and climb back up the sales charts. To get there, Infiniti is looking at a range of new models in body styles familiar and futuristic. The luxury automaker recently announced four new models that it said will lead its transformation to an all-electric company by 2030. The concepts have familiar shapes with futuristic touches that donÂ’t appear in the automakerÂ’s current lineup. InfinitiÂ’s Vision Qe concept illustrates its vision of the modern sedan, with a striking fastback shape and unique lighting elements that give it a real Tron vibe. Similarly, the brandÂ’s QXe concept blends that styling philosophy with advanced tech and a crossover body style. Infiniti also previewed its new QX80 flagship SUV, scheduled to arrive in 2024. The automaker previewed its upcoming luxury three-row with the QX Monograph concept earlier this year at Pebble Beach, and the new model looks to be a refinement of the existing SUVÂ’s boxy, upright shape. Infiniti said the cabin will feature upscale materials and high-end tech that elevate the experience. Finally, the QX65 is a new midsize crossover coupe that Infiniti said will channel its FX crossovers from years ago. The automaker promised the new SUV would be a “stylish two-row alternative in the cluttered midsize crossover segment.” Infiniti didnÂ’t show a closeup of the vehicle, but we can get a hint from the teaser image, which displays a small crossover with seeping lines and a unique roofline. Infiniti and parent company Nissan have work to do before they are anywhere near level with their rivals, but they havenÂ’t been able to capitalize on missteps by others, including the fact that heavy-hitters Toyota and Honda have been slow to move on electrification. NissanÂ’s Ariya saw significant delays and landed well after its intended release date, losing what could have been an impressive early mover advantage. The good news for brand hopefuls is that the shift to electrification should open the door to more flexible vehicle designs and technology-sharing opportunities with the companyÂ’s alliance mates, Renault and Mitsubishi.     Design/Style Green Tokyo Motor Show Infiniti Nissan Concept Cars Electric