Nissan announces first quarter results.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced financial results for the first quarter (April-June) of fiscal year 2013, which ends on March 31, 2014.

During the first quarter, Nissan's improved market share in Japan and North America could not completely offset the repercussions in China of the islands dispute and sluggish economic conditions in Europe. Positive signs of improving sales volume in China, as well as expected contributions from the full ramp-up of US operations, should enhance Nissan's performance in the coming quarters of fiscal year 2013 - in line with the company's previously announced guidance.

Today, Nissan announced the following management pro forma results based on foreign exchange rates of JPY 98.8/USD and JPY 129.0/EUR, the average rates for fiscal year 2013 to date:

• Net revenues of JPY 2.51 trillion (USD 25.43 billion, EUR 19.47 billion)
• Operating profit of JPY 117.8 billion (USD 1.19 billion, EUR 913 million)
• Ordinary profit of JPY 101.6 billion (USD 1.03 billion, EUR 788 million)
• Net income of JPY 82.0 billion (USD 830 million, EUR 636 million)

Globally, Nissan sold 1.17 million units in the first quarter, a year-on-year decline of 3.3%. "Market conditions were challenging in the first quarter, but our results were in line with our prior expectations. We anticipate robust contributions from our new product launches in the second quarter and beyond. Nissan is on track to deliver its full-year guidance," said Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan is maintaining its accelerated pace of new product launches, with plans for the introduction of the Nissan Rogue crossover and Infiniti Q50 in the US from the second quarter onward. The company remains on track with its new model offensive under the Nissan Power 88 mid-term business plan, with one new vehicle to be launched every six weeks, on average, for all six years of the plan through fiscal 2016.

In accordance with changes to financial reporting standards, from fiscal 2013 onwards Nissan hasadopted the equity method to account for the joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng in China. Therefore, Nissan's statutory reported income statements no longer reflect the joint venture's results in revenue and operating profit.

Under the equity accounting method, Nissan today filed the following results with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, based on foreign exchange rates of JPY 98.8/USD and 129.0/EUR, the average rates for fiscal year 2013 to date:

• Net revenues of JPY 2.23 trillion (USD 22.60 billion, EUR 17.31 billion)
• Operating profit of JPY 108.1 billion (USD 1.09 billion, EUR 838 million)
• Ordinary profit of JPY 114.8 billion (USD 1.16 billion, EUR 890 million)
• Net income of JPY 82.0 billion (USD 830 million, EUR 636 million)

Audi A3 number three million

Incredible success of Audi premium compact hatchback is highlighted by three millionth example to leave the line in Ingolstadt

• Audi A3 number three million – a Sportback 2.0 TDI quattro – left the production line in Ingolstadt, Germany this week
• Pioneer of the premium compact hatchback class started life 17 years ago and is now in its third generation
• Latest, all-new car is the first to be available in saloon form

17 years of enduring global appeal have just culminated in the production of the three-millionth Audi A3, the car which in 1996 stole a march on the German prestige ‘establishment’ by spearheading the creation of the now flourishing premium compact class. Car number three million is a 2.0 TDI quattro version in five-door Sportback form, one of three attractive body styles currently available in the all-new, third generation A3 range, which for the first time also includes a four-door saloon option. More variants are set to follow.

“Three million automobiles in the compact class is quite a performance,” said Dr. Frank Dreves, Board of Management Member for Production at AUDI AG. “This success is backed by a strong team and an efficient production system. With the Audi A3, we have created a new brand segment – we have been setting standards in the compact class with innovative technology and first-class quality for 17 years now.”

In 2012, Audi produced a total of 152,993 A3 series cars at its plant in Ingolstadt, Germany. This total included A3 and A3 Sportback models, as well as S derivatives. The new Audi A3 Sportback, launched in 2013, has accounted for the highest proportion of this production volume: Each day, about 700 examples of this immensely popular variant roll off the assembly line.

Approximately 913,000 examples of the first Audi A3 were sold. That worldwide success continued with the second generation (2003-2013), which underscored the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s domination of this segment in terms of technology and quality. Nearly two million of these second generation cars were delivered to customers.

In late 2012, the completely new third generation car made its debut, and again set new benchmarks for quality, build integrity and technological sophistication at this level. Last month, the new A3 Saloon joined the three-door and Sportback variants, and later this year the new 300PS S3 and S3 Sportback will make their UK debuts, followed in early 2014 by the S3 Saloon.

All three A3 ranges offer a choice of exceptionally efficient, highly refined engines, including the 1.4 TFSI with Cylinder-on-Demand technology and 60.1mpg potential and the 1.6 TDI which pares CO2 output back to 99g/km. They combine these with fit, finish and equipment worthy of an executive class car, and also offer the opportunity to upgrade with sophisticated options such as Audi magnetic ride damper control, a ‘hands-free’ parking assistant, swivelling adaptive cornering lights, a 705-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, MMI touch fingertip data entry and Audi connect, bringing internet-based services to the car. In the near future, high-tech all-LED headlights will also be added to this list as an alternative to the more familiar xenon units.

Next year the A3 range will also embrace the future with its first hybrid variant – the petrol-electric A3 e-tron, capable of covering up to 188mpg while emitting as little as 35g/km of CO2 (according to the NEDC test). In the meantime, prices for the existing A3 range start from £18,280 and rise to £29,160, with the S3 and S3 Sportback priced at £30,640 and £31,260.

Happy half Million - Porsche Cayenne reaches milestone

When the first Porsche Cayenne rolled off the assembly line at the Leipzig plant in 2002, nobody could foresee how very successful the sports-car SUV would be. “We started with around 70 units a day. Today we produce five times as much owing to the high market demand. In the past year alone, over 83,000 Cayenne vehicles for customers in more than 125 countries have rolled off the assembly line. A genuine success story of the Porsche plant in Saxony,” explains Dr. Oliver Blume, Member of the Executive Board Production and Logistics of Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Today, the 500,000th unit of the Porsche bestseller produced here in Leipzig will be handed over to its owner.

Picking up their new vehicle in person, every year around 2,500 Porsche customers from all over the world use this opportunity and experience a Porsche to its very limits when driving on the plant's proprietary, FIA-certified circuit and the off-the-road track. And so did the proud customer of the 500,000th Cayenne, who travelled from Austria to the Saxon metropolis to accept in a little ceremony the key to his white S Diesel with a 382 hp V8 engine, top speed 261 km/h.

The Wrangler celebrates its millionth model.

The one-millionth Jeep® Wrangler JK model has just rolled off the assembly line at Chrysler Group’s Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Complex. Chrysler executives, plant employees, UAW representatives and supplier partners gathered at the end of the line to mark the occasion.

Mauro Pino, Chrysler Group’s Vice President of Vehicle Assembly Operations, and Dan Henneman, Jeep Unit Chairman of UAW Local 12, drove the black 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition, bound for a customer in Sarasota, Florida, off the final line to the applause of employees.

“Every Jeep Wrangler sold to customers around the world is born in Toledo, Ohio,” said Pino. “Since this facility opened eight years ago, the Toledo workforce has built every one of those million vehicles with pride, passion and a focus on quality. We all look forward to building the next million.”

Since 1941, Jeep – the original sport-utility vehicle – has represented freedom, authenticity, adventure and passion. From its start, the Jeep brand has continued to stay true to its heritage with a commitment to providing leading off-road capability in all of its vehicles. The enthusiasm held by Jeep team members and owners for the unique lifestyle made possible “only in a Jeep” is supported by vehicles that are known as the “original fun and freedom machines.”

Named after America’s most demanding off-road trail, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition takes its place as the most capable Jeep production vehicle ever. The special-order limited-production vehicle is loaded with hardcore off-road equipment for its enthusiasts including the Rock-Trac 4x4 system with 4:10 axle ratio and next-generation Dana front axle.

Connected under one roof with the North Plant, where the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be built this year, the Toledo Assembly Complex’s Supplier Park began production of the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited in 2006. Located on the same site as the former Stickney Plant, the complex includes body and chassis operations, produced in partnership with suppliers Kuka and Mobis, respectively.

The Stickney Plant was built in 1942 and nearly two decades later, was converted to produce the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The facility became the Toledo Assembly Plant when Chrysler Corporation acquired American Motors Corporation (AMC) in August 1987. In the autumn of 1997, Toledo North was built for the production of the Jeep Cherokee, which launched in April 2001, and later added production of the 2007 Dodge Nitro which launched in August 2006.

The last Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Nitro rolled off the line in August 2012 and December 2011, respectively. Toledo North will add 1,105 new jobs on a second shift in the third quarter, bringing total complex employment to more than 3,000.

Jeep Brand

Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.