Nissan's future in question: $4.2 billion in losses and a failed partnership with Honda
In a global automotive landscape dominated by uncertainty and fierce competition from new Asian players, Nissan, one of the pillars of the Japanese industry, seems to have reached a critical point. Recent statements by Ivan Espinosa, appointed CEO on April 1, 2025, have sent shockwaves through the market: the possibility of the brand being put up for sale is no longer a taboo, but a scenario that management no longer excludes.
A deep crisis: Billions in losses and closed factories
The financial situation of the Yokohama-based manufacturer is, without exaggeration, dramatic. For the second year in a row, Nissan is facing colossal red figures:
- Forecasted net loss (March 2026): $4.2 billion.
- Loss in the previous fiscal year: $4.5 billion.
Under the turnaround plan dubbed “Re:Nissan,” Espinosa has accelerated austerity measures. The strategy is one of “survival through downsizing,” aiming to reduce the company’s industrial footprint from 17 to just 10 factories worldwide by 2027. The process also involves eliminating 20,000 jobs, a move aimed at cutting fixed costs by about $3.4 billion.
"Anything can happen in this crazy world"
Asked directly by The Financial Times whether he was considering selling the brand, Espinosa gave an answer that betrayed the current vulnerability of the Japanese giant.
"It's getting harder and harder for companies our size to stay relevant in this environment. You have to stay open and flexible. In this crazy world, anything can happen."
This opening towards a major transaction comes after the failure of merger negotiations with Honda in early 2025. Although there were hopes for a Japanese "common front" against the offensive of Chinese electric vehicles, Nissan chose to withdraw, wanting a partnership of equality, not one of subordination.
Currently, the shareholding structure remains fragile: The Renault Group officially owns 35.71% of Nissan, but the French influence has been strategically diluted in recent years, leaving Nissan in a gray area, between independence and the desperate need for an investor with "deep pockets".
Nissan in Romania: An island of growth in an ocean of problems?
Despite the global turmoil, the brand's situation in Romania presents an interesting paradox. The local market has shown signs of surprising resilience for Nissan over the past year:
- Spectacular sales increases: In the fall of 2025, Nissan recorded increases of over 300% month-on-month in Romania, driven by the success of hybrid (e-Power) models such as Qashqai and X-Trail.
- Focus on e-Power technology: Romanians seem to have quickly adopted the brand's technological solution, which offers the experience of electric driving without the stress of autonomy, which has maintained the brand's relevance at the top of compact SUV preferences.
- Parts and Service Market: Although new car sales are volatile, the aftermarket sector in Romania remains robust, providing a safety net for current Nissan owners, regardless of the corporate fate of the parent company.
However, global instability could affect the distribution network and the availability of new models on the domestic market in the long term, especially if the factory closure plan targets units serving the European market (such as the one in Sunderland, UK).
What's next?
Nissan's future depends on the ability of the "Re:Nissan" plan to generate profitability by 2026. If massive cost cuts do not stabilize cash flow, we could witness the biggest auto industry transaction of this decade: the takeover of one of the Japanese "Big Three" by a technology giant or an emerging competitor.