Nissan Reports $535 Million Quarterly Loss, Confirms Plant Closures

Nissan Motor Co. has stepped up its global restructuring efforts after reporting a quarterly operating loss of 79.1 billion yen ($535 million), driven by U.S. tariffs, declining global vehicle sales, and internal cost-cutting measures. The loss, although significant, came in lower than analysts’ expectations of 123.9 billion yen, reflecting both financial strain and tentative signs of recovery for Japan’s third-largest automaker.

The April to June results mark a new chapter in Nissan’s turnaround plan, which includes plant closures, workforce reductions, and consolidation of production. The company aims to shut down at least seven plants and reduce its global workforce by 15%.

CIVAC Plant Set to Close by 2026

Nissan confirmed it will shut down vehicle production at its CIVAC facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico, by March 2026. The announcement comes just weeks after similar closures were scheduled for the Oppama plant in Japan (by March 2028) and the Shonan factory (by March 2027).

The CIVAC plant, Nissan’s first factory built outside Japan, has played a major role in the company’s overseas operations since 1966. It has produced models like the Frontier, NP300/Navara, Bluebird, Datsun and Versa. The facility expanded in 1975 with a second assembly line and has since built over 6.5 million vehicles, accounting for 11% of Nissan’s output in Mexico.

Nissan will transfer all CIVAC operations to its Aguascalientes facility during the current fiscal year, aiming to consolidate manufacturing and increase efficiency.

Restructuring Progress and Cost Reductions

Despite the quarterly setback, Nissan executives expressed  optimism. “We’re still in the early stages of our recovery,” said Chief Operating Officer Ivan Espinosa at a press briefing. “But we are making meaningful progress in streamlining operations and reducing costs.”

The latest results show an improvement from Nissan’s earlier projection of a 200 billion yen loss made in May. Cost-saving initiatives, though gradual, have begun to yield some results.

Nissan continues to respond to market pressures, including fluctuating post-pandemic demand, regulatory changes, and the global shift toward electrification. The company is actively realigning its production strategy to match long-term sustainability goals and new market dynamics.

Outlook for Global Operations

The closure of facilities in Japan and Mexico marks a shift in Nissan’s global manufacturing footprint. Plants like CIVAC, once central to overseas expansion, are being replaced with newer, more cost-effective production hubs.

In South Africa, Nissan’s Rosslyn plant remains operational and unaffected by the latest restructuring announcements. The facility, which supports production for the Sub-Saharan market, received a R3 billion investment in 2020 to build the Navara. However, its long-term future will depend on Nissan’s evolving strategy, regional demand, and global restructuring outcomes.

Nissan’s broader transformation plan focuses not only on reducing costs but also on adapting to advances in electrification, digital connectivity, and mobility services. While the restructuring process continues, the company aims to emerge with a leaner and more adaptive operational model.