Nissan extends sales gains; Toyota snaps streak with decline

Nissan’s China sales rose for the second straight month in August but Toyota’s local deliveries dipped after growing for 18 straight months. 

Last month, Nissan brand sales rose 2 percent from a year earlier to 129,659 after gaining 1.4 percent in July. 

The growth reflected “better-than-expected” volumes by the Altima and Sylphy sedans, Nissan’s China office said. 

Toyota Motor Corp. hasn’t disclosed August sales for China. But according to the China Passenger Car Alliance, a Shanghai consultancy, Toyota brand’s local deliveries dropped 8 percent from a year earlier to 109,176 in August. 

The main reason for the decline was a changeover for the Corolla, Toyota’s top-selling model in China, the consultancy noted. 

In the first eight months, Nissan brand’s China sales edged up 0.2 percent to 956,270.

During the same eight months, Toyota brand’s local deliveries increased 7.7 percent to 892,866 on volumes generated by the brand’s new global vehicle architecture, according to the China Passenger Car Alliance.

The August sales results mean all three major Japanese brands continue to buck the downturn in China’s new-vehicle market. 

Honda brand’s local sales rose 5.9 percent to 124,155 last month on demand for the Civic sedan and the CR-V crossover, according to Honda Motor Co.’s China office.

Through August, Honda brand delivered 985,514 cars and light trucks, a jump of 18 percent from a year earlier.