Nissan Motor will offer voluntary buyouts to U.S. employees and reduce shifts at three American factories as part of a global push to slash $2.6 billion in costs, the automaker confirmed on Thursday.
The buyouts apply to workers at vehicle assembly plants in Smyrna, Tennessee, and Canton, Mississippi, and an engine facility in Decherd, Tennessee. Nissan will cut one of two shifts for its Rogue SUV in Smyrna starting in April and for the Altima sedan in Canton from September. The company did not specify how many jobs it aims to eliminate but said no involuntary layoffs are planned. Nikkei reported the move could affect up to 1,500 positions.
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Nissan employed more than 11,700 workers across the three U.S. plants as of end-2024. The cuts follow a November announcement of 9,000 global job reductions and reduced production capacity amid slumping sales in China and North America. The Rogue, produced in Smyrna and Japan, saw U.S. output curtailed in 2024 due to weaker demand for older models.
The automaker separately confirmed talks with Honda Motor (7267.T) in January about a potential partnership that could form the worldās third-largest auto group by output. Nissan did not link the merger discussions to its restructuring efforts.
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The U.S. cost-cutting aligns with Nissanās broader strategy to streamline operations as it navigates competitive pressures in key markets. The company declined to disclose financial terms of the buyouts or timelines for further adjustments.
Source: Reuters