Asked about current sales and profits, Hanawa told a news conference: "At the present time, we are almost (going) according to plan, even though the market is very tough."

Nissan in late May forecast group sales of 6.50 trillion yen and group current profits of 70.0 billion yen for fiscal 1998-99 ending next March 31.Regarding the company's talks on cooperation in the commercial vehicle sector with Germany's Daimler-Benz AG, Hanawa said discussions are continuing on various areas of cooperation, including the possibility of Daimler taking a majority stake in Nissan's truck affiliate, Nissan Diesel Motor Co.

Nissan and Daimler in July announced plans to jointly develop a light truck and Hanawa has said discussions are under way on 10 or more areas of possible cooperation.

"I don't know when the second item (of Nissan-Daimler cooperation) will be announced, but I'm hoping it might be some time in the near future," Hanawa said.