Nissan to 'slash 10% of jobs across Europe' amid fears Sunderland factory could be at risk
Nissan could slash thousands of jobs across Europe under new restructuring plans, according to fresh reports.The Financial Times has reported that Nissan will cut around 10 per cent of its workforce in Europe and combine two lines at its production site in Sunderland.The Japanese manufacturer has announced several cost-cutting measures in recent years as it struggles to adapt to a changing market, especially in the electric vehicle sector.Nissan's Sunderland facility currently employs more than 6,000 staff and is the largest employer in the region.The FT stated that Nissan would start talking to its workers on Tuesday about plans to cut 900 office workers.It suggested that this would take place in European countries, including France, Spain and the UK.Reports suggest that Nissan is holding talks with Chinese manufacturing giant Chery, in addition to other partners, about building cars at the Sunderland facility.Nissan recently started production of the next-generation, all-electric Leaf model in Sunderland last December.Reports suggest Nissan is preparing to cut up to 10 per cent of its workforce | PA/GETTYGB News has contacted Nissan for a comment.Last year, Nissan cut hundreds of jobs at the Sunderland factory, with around 250 roles cut through a voluntary redundancy scheme.It previously announced that 20,000 jobs would be lost across the company after it reported a net loss of 670.9 billion yen (£3.1billion).In addition to the job losses, Nissan stated that it would be closing seven plants around the world, with CEO Ivan Espinosa saying it was "not easy" to announce the changes.Production of the Nissan Leaf started in Sunderland last December | NISSANIn February, the company reported a positive third-quarter operating profit of 17.5 billion yen (£82million), with sales of 2.26 million units.It added that it had identified potential variable cost savings worth 240 billion yen (£1.12billion) in a bid to improve its operations. Mr Espinosa said: "While FY25 will reflect a substantial net loss driven primarily by non-cash accounting charges, these actions are necessary to strengthen our long-term operating performance. "We will continue reinforcing our financial foundation and increasing revenue through the introduction of competitive new models, supporting our trajectory toward the goals of Re:Nissan."Nissan transformed the Sunderland facility to prepare for the production of the Nissan Leaf | NISSANNissan started production of the Leaf at its Sunderland facility at the end of last year as part of the EV36Zero project, as it moves towards its electric future.The Japanese company invested £450million into the facility, which transformed production on Line Two to manufacture electric vehicles for the first time.Nissan's new Leaf model offers an electric battery range of up to 386 miles and rapid charging capabilities, allowing drivers to add up to 273 miles in just 30 minutes.Motorists looking to get their hands on the third-generation Nissan Leaf can also make use of Labour's Electric Car Grant, which brings the price down to just £32,249.
