Strong global sales drive Nissan quarterly profit higher

Nissan, which makes the March subcompact, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models, sold more vehicles in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia for the quarter compared to the previous year.

Nissan, which is allied with Renault SA of France, has become the top shareholder in scandal-plagued Japanese rival Mitsubishi Motors Corp., which was found cheating on mileage tests to inflate fuel economy figures for its minicar models.

Bigger manufacturers are better placed to ride out intense competition in the auto industry and Nissan can hope to leverage Mitsubishi's strengths in markets like Southeast Asia.