Car manufacturer Nissan has expressed openness to sharing its global factories with its Chinese state-owned partner, Dongfeng. The Japanese company, which employs thousands in the UK, mentioned to the BBC that it could bring Dongfeng into its global production ecosystem. Recently, Nissan announced plans to lay off 11,000 workers and close seven factories worldwide, though it did not specify locations. Nissan’s CEO Ivan Espinosa stated there are no immediate plans to affect operations at its Sunderland plant in the UK. These job cuts come in addition to 9,000 layoffs announced in November due to weak sales in key markets like the US and China. Nissan aims to cut 15% of its workforce as part of a cost-saving effort. The company’s own brands have struggled in China, the world’s largest car market, due to intense competition and falling prices. Nissan has partnered with Dongfeng for over two decades, currently collaborating in Wuhan, China. Leadership changes and failed merger talks with Honda have also impacted Nissan. Following unsuccessful negotiations, former CEO Makoto Uchida was replaced by Espinosa. This week, Nissan reported an annual loss of 670 billion yen ($4.6bn; £3.4bn), partly due to US tariffs. On a positive note, Nissan’s battery partner AESC secured a £1bn funding package from the UK government for a new plant in Sunderland, set to produce batteries for electric models.
— new from BBC
