Topic: Growth Stocks

Electric cars for China just one area of growth for this automaker

One of the most prominent automakers in the world, this company is pursuing a number of growth strategies.

Several of its key initiatives are aimed at the Chinese market. The company plans to expand its manufacturing capacity in that country and is making an electric car exclusively for China. At the same time, it is moving ahead with the development of its autonomous driving technology and will introduce new in-car systems powered by Google.


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NISSAN MOTOR (ADR) (Nasdaq symbol NSANY; www.nissan-global.com) is Japan’s second-largest automaker, after Toyota Motor and ahead of Honda.

Over the past year, Nissan has launched a series of initiatives to spur growth:

  • The company has started manufacturing its first electric sedan, Sylphy Zero Emission, for the Chinese market. The electric vehicle (EV) is based on the Nissan Leaf and will be produced by the company and its Chinese partner, DongFeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. In order to curb worsening air pollution, China is encouraging car buyers to opt for EVs.

At the same time, it has made it tougher for automakers by implementing stricter emission standards. In addition, automakers must ensure new-energy vehicles represent a specific percentage of overall sales, starting next year.

  • The company also plans to expand its vehicle manufacturing capacity in China 40% by 2021. Over the next few years, Nissan, along with its joint-venture partner Dongfeng Motor Group, aims to invest about $900 million to expand production capacity. The joint venture is expected to create a new manufacturing hub at Wuhan, where Dongfeng is headquartered.

If construction of the planned hub gets approved by China’s regulators, the facility is likely to produce around 300,000 vehicles per year. The expanded production capabilities will be used to manufacture Nissan-branded vehicles but also the company’s China-only Venucia-branded electric and gasoline-powered cars.

  • Nissan’s ProPILOT technology is the driving force behind the autonomous-driving features of its vehicles. One of those features is that drivers can let their cars park themselves. The company has now opened a new luxury hotel in Japan it calls the ProPILOT Park Ryokan.

The hotel’s main feature is that almost everything in its guest rooms are on wheels. Those items—from floor cushions and tables to TV remotes and guest slippers—use Nissan’s ProPILOT technology to return to their programmed resting spots at the push of a button. While the hotel is a novelty, it does demonstrate the wide-ranging applications for the company’s technology.

Growth Stocks: In-car systems and dashboard displays to feature Google Android systems

  • Nissan recently announced that it will now adopt Android infotainment systems by Alphabet’s Google for its next generation of in-car systems and dashboard displays. They launch in 2021. Drivers will also be able to access Google’s maps, app store and voice assistant from their dashboards. Nissan decided to partner with Google because many of its customers are accustomed to using Google Maps and other apps.

They likely prefer sticking with systems they know instead of adapting to Nissan software. Other automakers are already using Google apps: Audi’s in-car navigation system relies on Google Earth maps, and Volvo’s next in-car infotainment system will run on Android.

  • The company has also launched an all-new Altima sedan in the U.S. market. The new sedan is needed to keep pace with shifts in consumer demand. Total industry sales of sedans like the Altima made up 36.8% of the U.S. market in 2017, down sharply from 51.2% in 2012.

To make the new Altima more attractive to buyers, Nissan has added all-wheel drive, automatic rear braking and some autonomous features that help drivers stay in their lane or remain a set distance behind the vehicle in front.

Overall, the outlook for the company is positive. This year, sales should rise due to recently launched models including the Serena e-POWER, the new Nissan LEAF, the Datsun CROSS and the INFINITI QX50. Nissan also looks for higher sales from the revamped Altima, plus the Sylphy Zero Emission and Terra.

Recommendation in Stock Pickers Digest: Nissan is a buy.

 


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