ZAMA, Kanagawa Pref. -- Nissan Motor Co. unveiled a new automotive mall here Monday, the largest of its kind in Japan, as one of its efforts to offer customers easy access to new and used cars and improve sales efficiency.
Carest Zama displays and sells more than 100 new Nissan models, 1,000 used cars, including vehicles manufactured by other automakers, and about 30,000 auto parts and supplies. The mall's grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 3.
Yoshikazu Hanawa, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the company, said the mall will help increase Nissan's sales.
"Domestic sales constitute the most important business for Nissan to regain its competitiveness in the global market under the restructuring plan that was announced last month," he said.
Located near commuting towns like Zama and Yokohama, the mall gives the automaker opportunities to cultivate a new sales method, he said, noting Nissan may build similar facilities in other regions.
The mall is built on part of a former Nissan auto factory site and features an 800-meter test drive course, trade-in vehicle center, auction area, cafeteria and other customer facilities.
Nissan Carest Zama Co., which operates the outlet, expects to attract 400,000 visitors annually and sell about 100 new vehicles and 400 used cars a month.
As a method to reduce costs, each car is individually priced to reduce sales negotiation time, according to the company.
Under Nissan's Revival Plan designed by Chief Operating Officer Carlos Ghosn, the firm plans to reduce business costs by 1 trillion yen and cut 21,000 Nissan Group employees by the end of fiscal 2002.