The Japanese automotive manufacturer Nissan announced on February 13 that it is considering relocating its production in Mexico to another location if the 25 percent tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump come into effect. Nissan exports approximately 320,000 vehicles annually from Mexico to the United States, so the imposition of significant tariffs would have serious implications for its business.
Nissan's President and CEO, Makoto Uchida, stated during a press conference that if high tariffs are applied, they would be forced to consider moving the production of certain models to another site. Uchida pointed out the need to monitor the situation and mentioned that they export a large volume of vehicles to the United States, so any tariff increase would be detrimental to the company.
Regarding Trump's announcement about tariffs on imports from Mexico, Nissan is evaluating its strategy in light of this possibility. The company presented its latest financial results, which highlighted a 98.4 percent drop in net profit between April and December. This situation has led the company to anticipate its first losses in four years.
Additionally, Nissan announced a detailed restructuring plan that includes a 20 percent cut in global production, especially in China due to local competition. This plan also includes 9,000 previously announced layoffs, which will affect three plants. Similarly, a reduction in staff is anticipated in Thailand and adjustments in the U.S. plants in Smyrna and Canton, impacting 6,500 employees between 2025 and 2026.
Nissan also plans to cut around 2,500 indirect employees by streamlining operations and accelerating voluntary severance programs. Despite this restructuring plan, there is no mention of the company's operations in Spain, where it has a technical center in Barcelona and two auto parts production plants in Ávila and Cantabria.
