Nissan, once a titan of Japan’s automotive might, now finds itself steering into a storm of its own making.
The carmaker is reportedly preparing to slash 20,000 jobs—15% of its global workforce—amid a spiralling crisis fuelled by plummeting sales, outdated models, and a legacy of boardroom battles.
Originally set to cut 9,000 roles after a dramatic 94% profit plunge last year, the company has more than doubled that figure, signalling a far graver situation.
While official comment remains absent, the scale of the planned layoffs will hit both domestic and international operations.
Nissan’s troubles trace back to the 2018 arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn, a saga that exposed deep internal fractures.
Since then, the firm has struggled to modernise its hybrid line-up, particularly in the fiercely competitive US and Chinese markets.
New trade tariffs from the United States have further dented prospects, as the company now faces the burden of servicing $1.6bn in debt—set to soar to $5.6bn by 2026.
For Nissan, the road ahead looks increasingly uncertain, and the brakes are failing.