Nissan targets return to profitability in FY2026

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Nissan Motor Company reported a net loss of JPY 671 billion (US$4.55 billion) in the 2024 fiscal year (FY2024), which ended on 31 March 2025, slightly better than the JPY700 billion-JPY 750 billion it had forecast in February but still a massive loss nevertheless. This compares with a net profit of JPY 426.6 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Global revenues fell slightly to JPY 12,633.2 billion, while its operating profit plunged by 88% to JPY 69.8 billion, as the company lagged in terms of new product development and the adoption of new technologies. Its operating margin dropped from 4.5% to 0.6%.

Nissan is forecasting a further decline in global revenues for the current fiscal year (FY2025), to JPY12,500 billion. The struggling automaker did not provide an earnings forecast for the year, although it is expected to be negative as the company steps up restructuring under its newly-launched “Re:Nissan” recovery plan. Global operating conditions continue to toughen, particularly following the recent introduction of 25% import tariffs in the US, while competition from Chinese automakers continues to rise.

For the next fiscal year (FY2026), which starts in April 2026, Nissan said it is aiming for positive operating profitability and free cash flow, while cutting fixed and variable costs by JPY 500 billion compared with FY2024.

Nissan confirmed that it will cut an additional 11,000 jobs at its global operations by FY2027, in addition to the 9,000 redundancies announced in late 2024. This will result in a 15% reduction in its global workforce, while the number of vehicle assembly plants will be reduced from 17 to 10 in the next three years.

The automaker described Re:Nissan as a “recovery plan that implements decisive and bold actions to enhance performance and create a leaner, more resilient business that adapts quickly to market changes. With a fresh focus under its new management, Nissan is reassessing its targets and has conducted a comprehensive review of key initiatives, introducing further measures to ensure a strong recovery.”

The company’s newly-appointed president and CEO, Ivan Espinosa, explained further: "In the face of the challenging FY2024 performance and rising variable costs, compounded by an uncertain environment, we must prioritize self-improvement with greater urgency and speed, aiming for profitability that relies less on volume. As a new management team, we are taking a prudent approach to reassess our targets and actively seek every possible opportunity to implement and ensure a robust recovery. Re:Nissan is an action-based recovery plan clearly outlining what we need to do now. All employees are committed to working together as a team to implement this plan, with the goal of returning to profitability by fiscal year 2026."