France: Nissan cuts staff and closes factories as part of global restructuring

Nissan has launched a large-scale restructuring program that covers key production and management centers in Europe and other regions. One of the first steps was an initiative to optimize the number of employees of the European regional office located in Montigny-les-Bretonnes (France), which currently employs about 560 people. This office coordinates the company's operations in Africa, the Middle East, India and Oceania.

The restructuring program initiated by the new CEO Ivan Espinosa in April 2025 provides for the reduction of 15% of the global staff, which is about 20 thousand jobs worldwide. In addition, the company plans to reduce production capacity by 30%, bringing the volume of car production to 2.5 million units per year. The number of plants in Nissan's global production network will be reduced from 17 to 10.

The decisions are driven by the need to stabilize the company's financial performance amid declining sales in key markets, including China and the United States. According to preliminary calculations, the expected economic effect of the restructuring will amount to $ 3.4 billion.

Nissan has already announced the phased closure of a number of production sites. The Civac plant in Mexico will be completed by March 2026, production at the Japanese Oppama plant will be halted by March 2028, and Nissan's Shatai facility in Senan by March 2027.

The company has approximately 19,000 employees in geographical regions covering Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and Oceania, 60% of which are located in European divisions. Large-scale restructuring affects not only production processes, but also administrative infrastructure, which can affect the dynamics of the brand's presence in global markets.

The transformation reflects a strategic review of the company's global positioning and a reassessment of the role of regional offices in a changing market environment. Nissan strives to adapt its management and production structure to new economic realities, while strengthening its focus on priority and sustainable development areas.