Nissan to Cut 10,000 Jobs Globally in Major Restructuring Plan

Nissan is reportedly planning to eliminate more than 10,000 jobs globally, bringing its total workforce reduction to approximately 20,000 positions, or 15% of its total global staff. This decision forms part of a broader restructuring strategy aimed at addressing declining performance in key markets such as the United States and China. The news, initially reported by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, comes ahead of the company’s annual financial report, expected on Tuesday.

In a statement shared with EFE, Nissan declined to confirm or comment on the job cuts, stating that “this is not an official announcement by the company.”

This latest round of layoffs follows the 9,000 jobs already cut under Nissan’s previously announced restructuring plan, which also included a 20% reduction in global production capacity. The cuts reflect the company’s persistent financial struggles and diminished competitiveness in the global automotive sector. As of March 2024, Nissan employed over 133,000 people worldwide.

Nissan has forecast a record net loss of between JP¥700 billion and JP¥750 billion (US$4.74 billion to US$5.08 billion) for the fiscal year ending Mar. 31, 2025. The losses are attributed to restructuring-related impairment charges. Notably, the company has revised its profit forecast downward four times during the fiscal year.

Underperformance in the US and Chinese markets has been a significant factor driving the restructuring. In the United States, Nissan has faced challenges due to an aging vehicle lineup and a limited range of hybrid models, reducing its competitiveness. Meanwhile, in China, sales have sharply declined in recent quarters. To counter these trends, Nissan plans to launch around 10 new vehicle models in the coming years.

“We are aiming to make the company more agile and resilient,” an internal source told Japanese media, highlighting the need to adapt to shifting market realities.

In addition to the layoffs, Nissan has made structural adjustments to its operations. The company has ceased vehicle production in Argentina and consolidated pickup truck manufacturing in Mexico. It has also canceled plans to construct a new electric vehicle battery plant in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Trade policies have further strained Nissan’s financial performance. The US’s 25% tariff increase on foreign car imports under President Donald Trump, raising tariffs on Japanese vehicles to 27.5%, has negatively impacted the profitability of exports to one of Nissan’s largest markets. Japanese automakers, including Nissan, have traditionally relied on exporting vehicles to the United States from neighboring countries—a strategy now challenged by higher import duties.