Nissan Motor Company announced yesterday that it expects to report an 11.3% operating profit margin for the first half of fiscal year 2003 and a 15.2% increase in operating profits, to 401.1 billion yen (US $3.40 billion, €3.05 billion). At the midpoint of NISSAN 180, Nissan's three-year business plan, record operating profits are attributed to a combination of higher volumes from new products and lower costs. The company will file its official audited report on November 6, 2003.

Nissan also reported that the company is on track to achieve its annual return on invested capital target of at least 20%.

Globally, Nissan retail sales totalled 1,467,000 units in the first half of the fiscal year, an increase of 5.9% from the same half-year period of fiscal year 2002. Sales performance is being sustained by Nissan's product plan, which will introduce 28 all-new products during NISSAN 180. Ten of those products are being launched in the current fiscal year; to date, eight new products have been launched globally.