Nissan Dominates AutoPacific Satisfaction Survey

GARDENA, Calif.--Sept. 16, 2005--Seven Nissan vehicles topped their categories in the latest AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards rankings. The Nissan Titan full-size pickup truck was ranked overall as the most satisfying vehicle, and the Nissan Maxima performance sedan was named the most satisfying car in the survey.

AutoPacific, an automotive marketing and product-consulting firm, calculates owner satisfaction from 45 specific areas of a vehicle's operation, comfort, safety and overall purchase or lease experience. The latest ratings reflected input from people who bought or leased new vehicles September 2004 through January 2005.

In addition to Titan and Maxima, other outright category winners from Nissan were the Frontier as best compact pickup, the Armada as best large SUV and the Murano as best premium mid-size SUV. The Altima tied at the top of the premium mid-size car category and the Quest tied as a leader of the minivan category.

"These results are proof that our vehicles satisfy customers across a broad range of the things consumers take into account leading to a purchase or lease decision," said Jed Connelly, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Nissan North America (NNA). "It's also encouraging to note that Nissan trucks, cars and SUVs topped their categories."

AutoPacific had these comments on Nissan's category leaders:

Titan: "Owners of the 2005 Nissan Titan rate the pickup not only at the top of its Large Light-Duty Pickup category, but also as the top rated vehicle overall. This is an outstanding accomplishment and testament to the satisfaction Titan is giving its owners. ... We cannot ignore that two large trucks produced at Nissan's Canton Mississippi assembly plant won top place in their categories for 2005 -- Nissan Titan and Nissan Armada. Nissan's third large truck -- the luxury Infiniti QX56 also rated very well. This is a sweep any company can be envious of."

Armada: "Armada is full size, and when we say full-size, we mean it! It has a powerful and sophisticated V8 engine, but not one a half-size below the domestic competition. Instead Nissan offers one bigger and mightier than the domestic competition! ... Armada was right for the market right out of the box for the 2004 model year when it won Large SUV honors. As a repeat winner, Armada's 2004 performance surely was not a fluke."

Frontier: "Much more substantial in 2005 than its predecessors, the Frontier has been strongly touted in enthusiast magazines. With stronger styling, more comfortable interiors and a better ride, Frontier has what it takes to be at the head of the Compact Pickup category."

Maxima: "In a broad vehicle segment where Maxima is actually the least expensive entry, it wins with a combination of distinctive styling, good quality, excellent value and a healthy dose of product excitement."

Altima: "Altima achieves class-leading performance in 2005 with a substantial upgrade to its interior finally complementing its outstanding exterior styling and powertrains. ... Altima provides its owners a combination of style, size and performance that others in its class do not match."

Murano: "Murano's distinctive styling and standard CVT clearly differentiate it from other vehicles in its class. Many would call it a crossover vehicle. It is based on a front wheel drive car platform, but that does not detract from the satisfaction Murano provides its owners."

Quest: "The Nissan is rated more fun to drive and easier to get into and out of. Nissan's distinctive interior styling rates more strongly among its owners than the more conventional interiors."

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.