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Nissan CEO Admits Collapse: Billion-Dollar Debt, Closed Factories, and Total Bet on New Models to Try to Save the Japanese Automaker.
Nissan is facing a historic crisis. Billion-dollar debts, an aging portfolio, a drop in sales, and severe criticism have brought the automaker to a breaking point. The new CEO, Ivan Espinosa, appointed in March 2025, has already stated that the company is in “emergency mode.” The order is to speed up the development of new models, cut internal bureaucracies, and regain relevance in a rapidly changing global market.
Drastic Cuts and Aggressive Goals to Reverse Trajectory
Espinosa outlined a bold plan: reduce the development time for new Nissan vehicles from over 50 months to about 37 months.
The goal is to match the speed of Chinese automakers, such as BYD, which can launch models in just 24 months.
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To adjust costs and reorganize operations, the company announced heavy cuts: about 20,000 jobs eliminated, closure of seven factories, and plans to sell key assets, including the headquarters in Yokohama.
Production in Oppama is expected to end by March 2028, reflecting the scale of the ongoing restructuring.
Billion-Dollar Debt and Mixed Sales Performance
Nissan faces over US$ 5 billion in debts maturing in 2026, heightening the need for immediate cash. In traditional markets, such as the United States, sales continue to decline, worsening the situation.
On the other hand, there are signs of recovery in other regions. In China, sales grew 22% in July, driven by the success of the electric sedan N7.
This temporary relief shows that there is still room for a reaction, but it is not enough to stop the global crisis.
To strengthen its cash flow, the automaker has already raised about ¥850 billion and is looking to surpass ¥1 trillion in capital through asset sales and new financing. Rumors even suggest a billion-dollar loan with government support, though this has not yet been confirmed.
New Products as Central Bet of the Restructuring
Nissan’s response goes directly through the launch of new vehicles. Among the highlights of the plan are:
- New generation of the Sentra for the United States;
- A Plug-in Hybrid Rogue, scheduled for 2026;
- Significant facelifts for the Elgrand and the compact Kicks;
- Updates to the pioneering Leaf, which has lost ground to Tesla and BYD, but should gain new life with more competitive electrified versions.
These models are the main bet to regain consumers and reduce dependence on shrinking markets.
Gigantic Challenges: Credibility, Relevance, and Time
Even with the new plans, the CEO himself admits that the challenge is immense. Nissan needs to cut internal bureaucracy, regain credibility with customers, and convince the market that it is still relevant compared to its competitors.
If it fails to deliver the promised models on short timelines and with quality, the risk is to deepen the brand’s deterioration, especially given the speed with which Chinese rivals and even traditional companies like Toyota and Hyundai are advancing in the electric segment.
New Chapter or Greater Disaster? What’s at Stake for Nissan
Nissan is trying to write a new chapter in its history, but it carries on its shoulders the weight of an announced collapse.
The Japanese automaker is betting all its chips on the renewal of its portfolio and the reduction of production timelines as the only way to escape irrelevance.
If the plan works, Nissan could reposition itself as a significant global brand. But if it fails, it may face an even steeper decline, losing ground in the most strategic markets: electric and hybrid ones.
O unico cara que resolveu e tava dando certo e a empresa crescendo fii o Carlos, mas a diretoria cabeça dura querendo poder total fizeram,fizeram e derrubaram o cara, pra que mesmo? Pra acabar de afundar a empresa, porque ate agora N teve nada de relevante a empresa continua no buraco, os cara prefere quebrar do que mudar , tonha que mandar dmbora uns 90% da diretoria, é essa **** que ta afundando a empresa
Não entendo como um fabricante demoravtanto tempo para se mexer. Tenho um Nissan, o segundo, gosto muito, pelo menos para mim pós venda é excelente, dai lancam um carro maravilhoso, com motor de enceradeira e câmbio automatizado achando que vão se recuperar. Poderiam superar a VW em todos quesitos, mas parece que querem quebrar mesmo.
Chama o Carlos Gosn de volta seus japoneses otarios.