Nissan CEO faces pressure amid decline in sales

Nissan CEO faces pressure amid decline in sales
Reuters

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida faces mounting pressure to revive the automaker after missed hybrid opportunities and falling sales in key markets. Major cuts and restructuring plans are underway.

In October, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida warned managers of worsening finances, citing weak sales in North America and China. Questions arose about missed opportunities, particularly the absence of hybrids in the U.S., a market now demanding them.

Uchida, under pressure to turn around the struggling automaker, has pledged drastic cuts to jobs, production capacity, and costs while halving his pay.

Nissan’s challenges stem from management missteps, including betting solely on EVs, neglecting hybrids, and production issues with the Ariya EV. Once a pioneer with the Leaf, Nissan now lags behind rivals like Tesla and BYD, facing declining sales and market share. Activist investors have taken stakes, adding to the pressure.

Uchida is restructuring, planning 34 hybrid and EV launches by 2030, and considering factory closures in China and Mexico.

Despite criticism of his strategy, Uchida remains committed to his role, aiming to stabilise Nissan amid industry disruptions.

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