Net income rose 3.2 percent to $1.1 billion (6.9 billion yuan) in the three months ended Dec. 31, the company said in a statement. Nissan maintained its forecast for $3.8 billion in net income for the 12 months ending March 31.

Nissan's sales in China rose 22 percent last year, while Toyota's deliveries increased only 4 percent after the March earthquake in Japan and floods in Thailand disrupted output. Company CEO Carlos Ghosn, who also heads partner Renault SA, said last month he expects a record year for the automotive industry this year, with growth in the U.S., China and most developing countries.

"Nissan was barely affected by the natural disasters last year, so we can expect them to continue growing this year," said Mitsushige Akino, at Ichiyoshi Investment Management Co. in Tokyo.