If sales momentum holds, the Z is on track to top its 2024 total well before summer ends

If there’s one automaker that could use a bit of good news right now—aside from Tesla, of course—it’s Nissan. And for once, it looks like it’s getting just that. With first-quarter results now in, Nissan is seeing a rare and welcome uptick in momentum.
The company reported a solid year-over-year sales increase, and several of its latest models are gaining traction. Leading the charge—perhaps unexpectedly—is the Nissan Z, which is on pace to break personal records if current trends continue.
The Z Takes the Lead
The Z isn’t just selling well—it’s flying off dealership lots. Nissan moved 2,154 units in the first three months of 2025, a massive leap from just 671 in Q1 2024. That’s a 221% increase and puts it well ahead of Toyota’s GR Supra, which saw only 421 sales during the same period. Even more impressive, the Z outsold the combined total of the GR Supra and GR 86, which together managed just 1,561 units.
That’s a staggering achievement, especially considering Nissan sold only 3,164 Zs in all of 2024. In fact, it has already beaten its 2023 full-year total of 1,771 units. While upcoming tariffs and production limits could temper the pace in 2026, for now, the Z is riding high—and it’s not doing all the heavy lifting alone.

Nissan’s Broader Comeback
Other Nissan models are also showing strong gains. Notably:
- Kicks: +84.8%
- Murano: +84.1%
- Versa, Sentra, Altima, and Leaf: All posted healthy year-over-year increases.
Overall, Nissan’s car sales jumped 45.1%, from 78,557 in Q1 2024 to 113,995 in Q1 2025. Interestingly, it was the car side of the business that drove this growth—truck and SUV sales dropped 12.7% year-over-year.
Infiniti Struggles, With One Standout
Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury division, continues its pivot away from sedans in favor of SUVs, but that hasn’t reversed its overall sales decline. The brand posted a 5.3% drop, with every model in the lineup down—except one. The QX80 surged by 64.3%, rising from 2,473 to 4,064 units sold in Q1.
Nissan Group: Modest Gains, Big Potential
When factoring in Infiniti, the Nissan Group as a whole posted a 5.7% increase year-over-year. It’s a solid gain—and one Nissan hopes to build on in the coming quarters, especially with the Z generating serious buzz and momentum.