Nissan division sales climbed 32 percent in Q2, while Infiniti volume surged 57 percent.

Pent-up consumer demand and improving supply buoyed Nissan Motor Co.'s sales recovery in the key U.S. market again in the second quarter.

The automaker's U.S. sales surged 33 percent to 244,353 in the second quarter, lifting the year-to-date improvement to 25 percent.

The Nissan division sold 227,824 vehicles in the second quarter, 32 percent more than a year earlier. Infiniti's volume climbed 57 percent to 16,529 vehicles.

Judy Wheeler, Nissan division vice president of sales and regional operations in the U.S., said supply, especially of core models, has "improved substantially."

The improved supply comes as consumer interest perks up with inflation concerns ebbing somewhat.

"There's still some pent-up demand out there of consumers that waited," Wheeler told Automotive News on Monday. "Although, they are being more particular than they were two years ago."

Nissan's robust lineup of small, fuel-efficient models is lifting sales.

Tweaking supply
Nissan is working to solve supply kinks with the electric Ariya crossover, which made it to U.S. stores late last year — about a year behind schedule.

"The biggest issue that we're working through is the mix," Wheeler said, noting the majority of Ariya inventory is of the base, front-wheel-drive model.

The high-demand all-wheel-drive e-4ORCE variant is "just starting to trickle in over the last few months," she said.

"Most EV consumers, especially the early adopters, are looking for all the bells and whistles," Wheeler said.

The Japanese-made Ariya does not qualify for a $7,500 federal EV tax credit for purchases, disadvantaging it against some North America-made competitors.

Wheeler said Nissan would "make some adjustments" to the Ariya market offer in July but declined to elaborate.

"Just like every other manufacturer, we're trying to figure out how do you take the funding available for the vehicle and best utilize it," she said. "We need to figure out ... the sweet spot for how consumers want to go to market with this vehicle. Some ... want shorter-term leases; [others] want the company to take the risk."

One tool available to Nissan would be to pass through the $7,500 U.S. commercial clean vehicle tax credit on lease offers.

Brands: Nissan, up 32 percent; Infiniti, up 57 percent.

Notable nameplates: Nissan Frontier, down 17 percent; Rogue, up 68 percent; Pathfinder, up 24 percent; Sentra, up 103 percent; Altima, down 25 percent; Infiniti QX60, up 138 percent; QX50, up 13 percent; Q50, up 42 percent.

Quote: "The [Inflation Reduction Act] has affected many manufacturers. We accept it. We [will] find solutions as we move forward." — Judy Wheeler, Nissan division vice president of sales and regional operations in the U.S.

Did you know? Nissan anticipates 60 percent of Ariya crossover demand in the U.S. will be for its e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive variant.
Source:Automotive News