(Aug 3): Nissan Motor Co’s quarterly profit rose as the carmaker looks to build on progress from the early stages of its restructuring plan.

The Japanese carmaker reported ¥78 billion (RM2.04 million) in operating profit during the three-month period between August and June, the company said Monday, exceeding analysts’ estimates for ¥6 billion and marking a big improvement from the ¥79 billion loss a year earlier. Net sales were ¥3 trillion, in line with projections.

Nissan kept its ¥200 billion profit and ¥13 trillion revenue outlook for the fiscal year ending March 2027. The carmaker revised its sales volume outlook to 3.15 million units from 3.3 million, citing a more challenging business environment, particularly in China.

The results offer an early indication of CEO Ivan Espinosa’s bid to stabilise Nissan after years of sliding sales and management turmoil. His turnaround hinges on aggressive cost cuts, a faster vehicle-development cycle and stronger performance in the US and China, even as the carmaker contends with currency swings, rising input costs and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals.

Still, outdated products, revolving-door leadership and a failed tie-up with Honda Motor Co have left the Japanese carmaker struggling to fend for itself in the global automobile industry’s rapid shift toward software-focused, battery-powered cars.

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