Sales are up; Nissan keeps game plan

ORLANDO -- After setting a brand sales record in 2012 and two years of record dealer profitability, Nissan urged retailers at its make meeting to stay focused on the strategy of the past three years.

"Everything's working. Let's just keep it going," Al Castignetti, Nissan Division vice president for sales, told dealers at the meeting.

Nissan is midway through a plan to introduce five key model redesigns in 15 months.

Castignetti said more volume is coming in 2013 from the new-generation Versa Note hatchback and Rogue crossover, and he assured the audience that Nissan's long-delayed full-sized Titan pickup is on schedule to debut as a 2015 model.

Jon Brancheau, Nissan vice president of marketing, told dealers that Nissan's consumer awareness and shopping consideration are at their highest levels. He said Nissan will continue to match 40 percent of dealer ad association ad spending.

Nissan also said a service plan will roll out this year to put more competitive prices on fast-moving parts, such as wiper blades, brake pads and oil filters. The plan will support a more aggressive push for quick-lube business, according to dealers.

"They have a lot of plans to help us improve our parts and service operations," said Nissan dealer council chief Brad Fenton.

There was loud applause for Nissan North America's senior vice president of sales and marketing, Brian Carolin, who had announced his plan to retire at the end of March. His replacement, Jose Munoz, now senior vice president for sales and marketing in Latin America, was introduced. But neither Munoz nor Carolin spoke at the meeting.