Strategic HR
Nissan to cut 87 roles at Europe hub as global restructuring deepens
Nissan will begin with a voluntary separation programme, though forced redundancies could begin as early as February if uptake falls short.
Nissan is preparing to trim 87 positions at its European regional headquarters in France, marking a significant step in CEO Ivan Espinosa’s sweeping global turnaround plan that includes a 15% reduction in headcount.
The move comes as the automaker pushes to streamline operations and steer back toward profitability amid persistent pressures in key markets, particularly Europe.
The restructuring blueprint, which also calls for slashing global production capacity by nearly 30% to 2.5 million vehicles and consolidating manufacturing sites from 17 to 10, is the company’s most aggressive reset in years. According to internal documents, most of the roles set for elimination in the Montigny-le-Bretonneux office fall under marketing and sales.
Of the 87 positions identified, 64 were occupied at the time the agreement was reached in October.
To soften the impact, Nissan plans to create 34 new roles and open additional vacancies to support internal redeployment, which is expected to reduce the final number of redundancies.
The Montigny office currently employs around 570 people and oversees Nissan’s operations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Oceania.
In a statement on Thursday, Nissan confirmed that management and employee representatives had reached an agreement and outlined organisational changes designed to “reflect the reality of today's business environment” and address the company’s immediate challenges. These changes include simplifying roles and removing layers of management to speed up decision-making and improve efficiency.
The headcount reduction was formalised in an October 16 agreement with union representatives and will roll out in phases. Nissan will begin with a voluntary separation programme, though forced redundancies could begin as early as February if uptake falls short.
Employees who transfer internally will receive a €5,000 bonus, while those seeking opportunities outside Nissan will receive support from outplacement agencies and up to two years of redeployment leave, depending on age.
During a staff town hall on Wednesday, regional chairperson Massimiliano Messina emphasised that the transition is not solely about cost-cutting. “It’s not just cutting the fat,” he said, adding that the office must also “build muscle” to strengthen its role in the region.
The restructuring comes as Nissan grapples with slipping performance in Europe.
The company’s retail sales in the region fell 8% in the first half of the financial year, prompting it to trim its full-year forecast by 3% to 340,000 vehicles. Still, Nissan expects momentum to improve through upcoming launches and refreshed dealer programmes.
Despite the cuts, Nissan reiterated its commitment to the Montigny office, which Messina described as “absolutely vital” to the company’s regional strategy. The automaker, which employs nearly 19,000 people across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Oceania, also said it will continue to invest in employee development.
Internal documents did not specify why the targeted roles were selected.
The cuts in Europe form just one part of Nissan’s wider reset, as indicated earlier this year.
As Nissan navigates rising operational costs, intensifying market pressures, and the complexities of competing in an industry undergoing rapid transformation, the company’s leadership appears intent on making tough structural decisions now to safeguard long-term stability.
Topics
Author
Loading...
Loading...