Norris Nissan West

Nissan, Japan's second-largest automaker, reports that it achieved a 9.7 increase in U.S. market share in March, the highest single-month growth in the company's history. What's more Nissan's March U.S. vehicle sales jumped 27 percent, marking yet another monthly record.

Speaking on the automaker's record-breaking success, Al Castignetti, Vice President of U.S. Nissan-brand sales said, "This [March] was our best month ever."¹  He also added…

New car sales for 2011 are expected to increase six percent compared to last year. This would beat the record set in 2007, before sales dropped in 2008 and 2009. Unfortunately, unrest in Egypt and the Middle East has the oil market on edge, and the fear of higher oil prices directly affects car buyers and how they spend their money. So a lot could happen to derail this rosy forecasts.

As a consumer, rising…

What do they say? The proof is in the pudding. Well, February's numbers prove that Nissan's popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. I mean, seriously, a jump of over 30 percent! That's outrageous! And, it doesn't even include growth by Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti.

One could argue it's simply an effect of rising consumer confidence. And we wouldn't disagree. That's certainly part of it. However, it…