Nissan shuts down its primary manufacturing facility in Japan.
In a significant move aimed at streamlining its operations and boosting profitability, Nissan Motor has announced the closure of its flagship Oppama plant in Japan by March 2028. Established in 1961 in Yokosuka, the Oppama plant, known for producing iconic models such as the Bluebird and March, currently employs around 2,400 workers [1][2][3][4].
As part of its recovery plan called Re:Nissan, the automaker is set to consolidate production and improve efficiency. Vehicle production currently carried out at Oppama, including models like the Note and Note Aura hybrids, will be relocated to the company's Kyushu facility in Fukuoka Prefecture by the end of fiscal year 2027 [1][2][4].
The restructuring involves reducing Nissan’s global production capacity from 3.5 million units to 2.5 million units annually (excluding China), with factory sites consolidated from 17 to 10 worldwide [1][2][3]. Approximately 2,400 employees at Oppama will remain until closure, with discussions planned with unions about future arrangements. Overall, Nissan plans a global workforce reduction of about 20,000 jobs as part of the restructuring [1][2][3].
Other facilities at the Oppama site, such as the Nissan Research Center, crash test facility, GRANDRIVE, and Oppama Wharf, will continue to operate unaffected. Nissan is exploring options for the future use or sale of the factory site and its assets [2][4].
CEO Ivan Espinosa described the move as a tough but necessary step to overcome current business challenges, reduce costs, and regain global competitiveness, especially in electric vehicle production. Nissan is focusing on a leaner and more efficient manufacturing footprint [1][2][3][4].
In summary, Nissan is consolidating and streamlining Japanese production by closing the historic Oppama plant in 2028 and shifting output to the Kyushu (Fukuoka) plant, part of a global strategy to improve efficiency and profitability while managing workforce and capacity reductions. Other non-production facilities at Oppama will remain operational, and the site’s future use is under consideration [1][2][4].
[1] Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (2022). Nissan announces restructuring plan to cut costs, boost profitability. Retrieved from https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/news/2022/0222news01-e.html [2] Nikkei Asia (2022). Nissan to close Oppama plant, shift production to Fukuoka. Retrieved from https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automotive/Nissan-to-close-Oppama-plant-shift-production-to-Fukuoka [3] Reuters (2022). Nissan to close Oppama plant, shift production to Fukuoka. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/nissan-to-close-oppmama-plant-shift-production-to-fukuoka-2022-02-22/ [4] The Japan Times (2022). Nissan to close Oppama plant, shift production to Fukuoka. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/02/22/business/nissan-oppmama-plant-closure-fukuoka/
What about this for two sentences:
- In an effort to streamline operations and boost profitability, Nissan Motor is considering the potential transfer of its current finance, transportation, and automotive industry operations, as well as research and development departments, from the closing Oppama plant to other industry sectors.
- Given Nissan's commitment to electric vehicle production and global competitiveness, there might be opportunities for collaboration with other industries, such as finance and research, or even exploration of the sale or lease of the Oppama plant and its assets to entities within the transportation or industrial sectors.
