Nissan Motor : kicks off Orange Africa Cup of Nations Partnership

• Nissan will bring innovation and excitement to fans during Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015
• Sponsorship at the heart of Nissan's commitment to Africa
• Car launches scheduled in key African markets throughout the tournament

PRETORIA, South Africa (4 SEPTEMBER 2014) - Nissan is kicking off its partnership with the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015, aiming to bring innovation that excites to the continent's biggest sporting tournament. Through the qualifiers and right up to the finals starting in January in Morocco Nissan will team up with some of Africa's most popular players, and work to bring fans closer to the game. The sponsorship is part of Nissan's drive to significantly increase its market presence in Africa.

Nissan is committed to growing with Africa, which it sees as ever more important driver of the global economy. Building on decades of heritage in the continent Nissan has become the first to manufacture cars in Nigeria after the Government introduced new policies to encourage domestic production. Nissan aims to turn Nigeria into a major hub alongside its plants in Egypt and South Africa. The company is overhauling its sales networks in many countries to bring even more innovation and excitement to African customers. And Nissan is the first to introduce zero-emissions electric vehicles to the continent with the world's best-selling EV, the Nissan LEAF, now on the roads of South Africa.

"Nothing unites and excites Africa quite like football," said Takashi Hata, Senior Vice President in charge of Nissan's Africa, Middle East and India region. "Innovation that excites is what Nissan stands for. Sharing in the joy of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 with fans will help us to strengthen our brand in Africa, which we regard as a strategic and maturing market, and to increase the excitement about our innovative products."

As the official global automotive supplier to the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 Nissan will bring fans closer to the game with its own thrilling line-up of quality plays. With public and dealership events as well as its formidable product line up, fans will see Nissan's innovation first-hand.

Nissan has already seen results from its increased focus on Africa. In fiscal year 2013, Nissan hit in Egypt 26,695 sales units, a 24.3% increase year-on-year. Market share was 12.3% up by 2.5 points thanks to strong sales of the Nissan Sunny. The company also made a new sales record in Angola. In Ghana, Nissan is the No. 1 automaker with 30.6% market share.

Our programs around the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will see momentum build towards the finals starting in January in Morocco. Nissan's presence in the country has dated back to 1970's. In March the multi-award winning new Qashqai was launched in Morocco for the first time in Africa. The model is reputed for its sophisticated design and accessible technology including Around View Monitor and the new generation diesel engine. Nissan participated in the biggest motor show in the country "Auto Expo Casablanca 2014" in May to bring innovation that excites through our booth and model displays to attract visitors.

Nissan will build on the success with an aggressive program of launches in many countries during the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015. Innovative products like new Qashqai, the original crossover reinvented, and the new X-Trail will be brought to more customers in Africa. "Supported by an expanding economy, Nissan has the products, the sales networks and the people to respond to this demand. We already have a strong manufacturing presence in Africa and are regarded as a `first mover' in Nigeria through our investment in the country," added Takashi Hata.

The Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 tournament, now in its 30th year, kicks off in Morocco on 17 January 2015 with the final scheduled for 8 February 2015. The qualifying matches will be played from September through to November 2014. For the full schedule of the qualifying matches, click here.

The Orange Africa Cup of Nations partnership is another example of Nissan's dedication and growth in global sports which already includes the brand's proud sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League, Rio 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games, Olympic Team Brazil, official sponsor of the Colombia and Mexico Olympic Teams, Team GB and Paralympics GB, Canadian Football League, sporting ambassadors including Olympics Gold Medallists Usain Bolt and Sir Chris Hoy, corporate partner for Heisman Trust/Heisman Trophy and the official global automotive partner of City Football Group, owners of the Manchester City, the English Premier League champions.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.

About Nissan in Africa
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. supplies innovative and exciting cars across the hatchback, SUV, sedan and pickup segments in Africa and is targeting significant growth in the continent. Nissan has two operational hubs in Egypt and South Africa with long established factories, and is developing manufacturing in Nigeria as a third hub. In April Nissan, together with local partner Stallion Group, became the first automaker to build cars in Nigeria after the Government introduced new policies to stimulate the local industry. Nissan is revitalizing its sales network and expanding its product range in many countries with launches of new vehicles like the award-winning Qashqai and X-Trail. The Nissan LEAF is Africa's first electric vehicle, bringing zero emissions motoring to the continent. In 2014 the Datsun brand is returning to Africa with the launch of the Datsun GO in South Africa. In fiscal year 2013 Nissan sold nearly 110,000 units in Africa.

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