Nissan sees another record year in 2002/03

[Mike]

TOKYO, April 10 (Reuters) - Japan's third-largest automaker, Nissan Motor Co Ltd, said on Wednesday it expected record profits in the current fiscal year that began on April 1.

"Even though (fiscal) 2001 will be a record year, 2002 will be even better," Nissan President Carlos Ghosn told reporters.

Nissan, 44.4 percent owned by France's Renault SA (RENA), has said it will post record net, recurring, and operating profits in the year ended March 31. Ghosn did not specify which type of profit he was referring to for 2002/03.

The optimistic outlook is partly based on the fact Nissan has a much larger pipeline of new products for the present year.

Ghosn made the comments after the unveiling of the "Moco", a minivehicle produced by Japan's leading minicar maker Suzuki Motor Corp (7269) for sale under the Nissan badge.