Nissan Begins Union Talks to Cut Jobs at European HQ Amid Global Restructuring

Nissan Begins Union Talks to Cut Jobs at European HQ Amid Global Restructuring

Nissan Motor Co. has initiated formal negotiations with staff representatives at its European regional office in France, with plans that will include job reductions as part of a sweeping global overhaul.

Affected Location:

  • Nissan Automotive Europe, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
  • Staff: ~560 people
  • Office also manages operations in Africa, Middle East, India & Oceania

What’s Happening:

  • Nissan and the union are discussing voluntary redundancies first, ahead of any forced layoffs
  • Negotiations expected to conclude by October 20, with full details to be disclosed in November
  • No final decisions yet, according to VP Massimiliano Messina

Part of a Larger Shake-Up:

  • New CEO Ivan Espinosa, appointed in April, is implementing a major cost-cutting plan:
    • 15% global workforce reduction
    • Production capacity cut by ~30% (from 3.6M to 2.5M vehicles)
    • Manufacturing sites slashed from 17 to 10
    • Target savings: ¥500 billion (~$3.4 billion)

Broader Impact:

  • European operations account for 60% of Nissan’s EMEA workforce (~19,000 total employees)
  • Recent shutdowns:
    • Civic plant (Mexico) to close by March 2025
    • Oppama plant (Japan) to end output by March 2028
    • Shonan factory (Japan) to cease production by March 2027

Company Statement:

“We are working diligently and respectfully with all parties to ensure that this process is conducted with care, transparency and in full compliance with legal requirements.”
Massimiliano Messina, Nissan Vice Chair for the Region

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