Latest news with #Oppama
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Rosslyn plant safe for now as Nissan commits to Africa growth
Nissan South Africa has broken its silence on reports that its Rosslyn plant outside Pretoria could close as part of the Re:Nissan restructuring plan. Seven factories in line for closure The Citizen reports that in May, Reuters revealed at least seven of the brand's 17 global production sites face closure before the end of the decade. Those most likely are Oppama and Shonan in Japan, the Renault co-run Chennai and Santa Isabel plants in India and Argentina, and at least one of its three plants in Mexico. This follows the brand announcing a net loss of R82.2b earlier this year, coupled with a planned 15% cut in its global workforce from the original 9 000 announced last year, to at least 20 000 by 2027. The failed merger with Honda and the subsequent resignation of CEO Makoto Uchida have also been cited as reasons for the brand's worsening position. Rosslyn's dilemma One of the plants rumoured for closure, the 59-year-old Rosslyn facility – which currently only produces the Navara for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa – has been under scrutiny following the withdrawal of the NP200 in 2023. As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Nissan cut its workforce by 400, despite its chairperson for the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania regions, Guillaume Cartier, stating last year it is exploring production of a second model to fully utilise the plant's capacity. At the same time, Nissan's managing director for South Africa and independent African markets, Maciej Klenkiewicz, confirmed a study is under way into the feasibility of producing another model alongside the Navara. Sign of staying? Speaking at the launch of the Navara Stealth in Magaliesburg last week, Nissan president for Africa Jordi Vila suggested that, despite persistent rumours, the brand has no plans to exit South Africa or shut down Rosslyn. This comes after confirmation that the Oppama plant will cease operations by 2028, while the Chennai and Santa Isabel facilities may become fully owned by Renault, with current Nissan products continuing, albeit assembled by its alliance partner. 'We need to be proud of our heritage and where we come from. And when I look at Nissan's history in South Africa and the models, we should not lose that and [instead] build on it for the future. It is a market where we want to be from the past to the future,' Vila said. 'We are committed to growth in Africa and South Africa. Our plan is to grow – we grew with Navara and Magnite, and we want to grow the concept of built in Africa for Africa. 'We should be proud of producing this quality of vehicle (in Africa), and we don't want to give up on that,' Vila concluded.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nissan hints future of Rosslyn is safe despite speculation
Troubled Japanese brand's President of Africa has provided the biggest indication that it won't leave South Africa anytime soon. Nissan South Africa has broken its silence on ongoing reports that its Rosslyn plant outside Pretoria is set to close as part of the Re:Nissan restructuring plan. Seven factories in-line for closure Back in May, Reuters reported that at least seven of the brand's 17 global production sites are facing closure before the end of the decade, with those most likely being Oppama and Shonan in Japan, the Renault co-run Chennai and Santa Isabel plants in India and Argentina, and at least one of its three plants in Mexico. ALSO READ: Reports claim Rosslyn to be one of Nissan's plants facing closure This after the brand, earlier this year, announced a net loss of R82.2-billion, with the added knock-off being a planned 15% cut in its global workforce from the original 9 000 announced last year, to at least 20 000 by 2027. At the same time, its failed merger with Honda, with the subsequent resignation of CEO Makoto Uchida, has been cited as a further reason for the brand's worsening position. Rosslyn's dilemma One of the plants rumoured for closure, the 59-year old Rosslyn facility, which currently only produces the Navara for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, has been a point of uncertainty following the withdrawal of the NP200 in 2023. The result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the move resulted in Nissan cutting its workforce by 400, despite its Chairperson for the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania regions, Guillaume Cartier, maintaining as last year that it is looking into producing a second model to fully utilise the plant's capacity. At the same time, Nissan's Managing Director for South Africa and Independent African Markets, Maciej Klenkiewicz, said a study is underway in to the feasibility of producing another model alongside the Navara. Sign of staying? Addressing the media at the launch of the Navara Stealth in Magaliesburg last week, Nissan President for Africa, Jordi Vila, alluded to that, despite persisting rumours, the brand has no intentions of exiting South Africa or shutting down Rosslyn. This, after it was confirmed this week that the Oppama plant will indeed cease operations by 2028, while the Chennai and Santa Isabel facilities could become fully owned by Renault and result in current Nissan products continuing, though fully assembled by its alliance partner. 'We need to be proud of our heritage and where we come from. And when I look at Nissan's history in South Africa and the models, we should not lose that and [instead] build on it for the future. It is a market where we want to be from the past to the future,' Vila said. 'We are committed to growth in Africa and South Africa. Our plan is to grow – we grew with Navara and Magnite, and we want to grow the concept of built in Africa for Africa. 'We should be proud of producing this quality of vehicle (in Africa), and we don't want to give up on that,' Vila concluded. ALSO READ: Nissan's bleak outlook: revenue down, looming 20 000 job cuts
Motor 1
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Nissan Takes 'Tough But Necessary Decision' to Close a Factory
The 'Re:Nissan' recovery plan, outlined a few months ago, includes reducing the number of production sites from 17 to 10. One of the factories slated for closure has now been identified, with newly appointed CEO Ivan Espinosa calling it a 'tough but necessary decision.' The Oppama Plant, located in the Oppama district, will shut down after Japan's fiscal year 2027, which ends in March 2028. Current models and upcoming vehicles initially planned for Oppama will instead be assembled at the Kyushu site. Nissan's CEO admitted that 'it wasn't easy—for me or for the company' to shutter a plant that has been operational since 1961. Over the past 64 years, more than 17.8 million vehicles have rolled off its assembly line. The factory currently builds the Note and Note Aura superminis, but previously produced the electric Leaf hatchback, the quirky Cube, and the March (Micra). It originally assembled the Datsun Bluebird, a compact, rear-wheel-drive sedan. Photo by: Nissan Approximately 2,400 employees will be affected by the closure. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the global workforce by 20,000 by the end of FY2027. Not all job cuts will come from manufacturing, as some will stem from reductions in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses. Nissan also plans to scale back its research and development operations by shrinking its number of vehicle platforms from 13 to 7 and cutting parts complexity by 70%. Closing the Oppama Plant is among several drastic measures aimed at reducing global production capacity from 3.5 million to 2.5 million units. To grasp the severity of the situation at Nissan, consider that some new model programs have been paused to curb spending. A dedicated team of 3,000 people is now focused exclusively on cost-cutting initiatives. There's also a report about how the Yokohama headquarters could be sold and leased back from the new owner. As for the Oppama site's future, Nissan is evaluating a 'wide range of options.' The closure affects only the factory, as the local research center, crash test facility, proving ground, and 20,000-car wharf will continue operating as usual. Nissan Is In Trouble: Nissan to Suppliers: Will You Take an IOU? Nissan Lost $4.5 Billion Last Year. Here's How It Plans to Survive Source: Nissan Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Nissan to close Oppama plant as part of wider restructuring push
Nissan will wind down production at its local Oppama plant and transfer assembly of vehicles to a factory in Kyushu, as the struggling Japanese carmaker seeks to reduce costs and capacity as part of a broader restructuring effort. Oppama, which has been in operation since 1961 and employs roughly 2,400 workers, will cease production by March 2028, the company said in a statement Tuesday. The decision isn't a surprise, given that the facility had already been on a list of potential closures as part of Nissan's restructuring and cost cutting process. The carmaker has been seeking to raise funds and cut expenses due to to its rapidly deteriorating financial and operational position, as Chief Executive Officer Ivan Espinosa seeks to turn the company around.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Nissan to close its Oppama plant in Japan to cut costs
TOKYO — Nissan is closing its flagship factory in Oppama, Japan, to cut costs and moving all its production there to another plant in southwestern Japan. Vehicle production at the Oppama plant in Kanagawa Prefecture south of Tokyo, will end at the end of the 2027 fiscal year, in March 2028, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday in a statement.
