Nissan H1 FY2026 global sales fall 11.8%: US and Japan buck the trend as China struggles

Nissan has reported a challenging first half of its 2026 financial year, with global sales and production both falling amid intensifying competition in China and the wider automotive industry's shift towards electrification.

For the six months from April to September 2026, Nissan sold 1,355,233 vehicles worldwide, down 11.8% year on year. Global production also declined, falling 13.6% to 1,237,329 units.

The overall decline, however, masks a more mixed picture across individual markets. Japan and North America provided some support, with retail sales in the US continuing to grow.

Japan and North America offer some relief

Japan: K-Car sales help lift demand by 6.3%

Nissan recorded 197,227 domestic sales in Japan during the first half of FY2026, up 6.3% year on year. The company also maintained four consecutive months of year-on-year sales growth in the country.

K-Cars were the main growth driver, with sales rising 15.6% to 86,121 units. The Nissan Roox remained a key contributor, with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units.

Sales of regular passenger cars also increased by 4.4% to 95,171 units. The new Elgrand, unveiled in July, has also attracted strong interest, with cumulative orders surpassing 10,000.

North America: US retail sales extend growth streak to 19 months

North America was another bright spot, with Nissan's regional sales increasing 2.1% to 647,818 units. The US accounted for the bulk of this figure, recording 469,215 sales, up 5.5%.

Nissan's retail-first strategy has helped sustain demand in the US, where retail sales have now grown for 19 consecutive months. Locally produced models such as the Frontier pickup, Pathfinder SUV and Rogue (known as the X-Trail in other markets) continued to perform well.

The company is also working towards its target of sourcing 80% of vehicles sold in the US from local production by 2030.

Nissan's luxury brand, INFINITI, also had a strong September. Retail sales jumped 20.3% year on year, while the full-size QX80 SUV recorded its highest sales figure to date.

Read Also: 2027 T34 Nissan Rogue Hybrid debuts in the US with e-Power – a preview of Malaysia's next X-Trail?

China remains a challenge

The picture was considerably weaker in China, where competition from local new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers continues to put pressure on established automakers.

Nissan's sales in China plunged 45.5% year on year to 182,854 units in the first half of FY2026. The downturn became even steeper in September, when sales fell 61.6%.

In response, Nissan is accelerating its electrification push in China, with models such as the Nissan N7 aimed at buyers looking for more advanced technology and electrified powertrains.

Read Also: Nissan opens its first overseas NISMO Performance Centre in Melbourne, Australia