Moody’s Investors Service raised the rating of Nissan to the highest in 12 years. Based from Moody’s expectations, Japan’s third-largest automaker will boost its sales for new models.

“Nissan’s revenue and cash flow will be more stable and be maintained at a level higher than the industry average,” the rating company said.

Nissan’s rating increased by one notch to A3. It is the seventh highest investment grade from Baal. Moody’s last raised Nissan in March 2004.

To improve supports, Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn’s efforts in reviving sales after annual profit declined last year for the first time since 2000. Nissan plans to introduce 11 new or revamp models globally this year. The company accompanied additional enhancements of Nissan parts and special features of their models. This will include the Rogue sport-utility vehicle in the United States and will cut costs by buying more components from China and India.

“Nissan is probably banking on its release of the new Rogue later this year. I wouldn’t say that Nissan has improved its model mix yet. I would pay close attention to how the Rogue sells when it’s introduced in the U.S.,” said Takashi Aoki, who helps manage about 130 billion yen at Mizuho Asset Management Co.

Through great engineering package of Nissan parts which give powerful output, new models will help push net income 4.2 percent higher to 480 billion yen ($4.2 billion) in the 12 months ending March.

The rating change is based on Nissan’s improved earnings outlook as the carmaker introduces new models, state of the art engineering, and power packed Nissan parts that continues to cut costs. According to Ghosn, the automaker will raise global component purchases from low-cost countries to as much as 24 percent of the total from about 14 percent now.

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