Latest news with #NissanOceania
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Nissan considering selling HQ to fund plant closures
Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur to close down seven factories and axe 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei, the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan would move out of its current headquarters, or whether it would lease it back from its new owner. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or those wishing to gain a pot of cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to be ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response, new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK, which produces the Qashqai and Juke compact SUVs, has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is "quietly optimistic" about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also set up a cost-cutting "transformation office" with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been "empowered to make cost decisions". On top of this, development of vehicles and technology due for launch after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings. MORE: Everything Nissan Content originally sourced from: Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur to close down seven factories and axe 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei, the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan would move out of its current headquarters, or whether it would lease it back from its new owner. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or those wishing to gain a pot of cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to be ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response, new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK, which produces the Qashqai and Juke compact SUVs, has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is "quietly optimistic" about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also set up a cost-cutting "transformation office" with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been "empowered to make cost decisions". On top of this, development of vehicles and technology due for launch after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings. MORE: Everything Nissan Content originally sourced from: Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur to close down seven factories and axe 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei, the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan would move out of its current headquarters, or whether it would lease it back from its new owner. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or those wishing to gain a pot of cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to be ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response, new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK, which produces the Qashqai and Juke compact SUVs, has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is "quietly optimistic" about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also set up a cost-cutting "transformation office" with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been "empowered to make cost decisions". On top of this, development of vehicles and technology due for launch after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings. MORE: Everything Nissan Content originally sourced from: Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur to close down seven factories and axe 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei, the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan would move out of its current headquarters, or whether it would lease it back from its new owner. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or those wishing to gain a pot of cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to be ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response, new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK, which produces the Qashqai and Juke compact SUVs, has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is "quietly optimistic" about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also set up a cost-cutting "transformation office" with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been "empowered to make cost decisions". On top of this, development of vehicles and technology due for launch after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings. MORE: Everything Nissan Content originally sourced from:
West Australian
5 days ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Nissan considering selling HQ to fund plant closures
Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur closing down seven factories and axing 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei , the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, and is only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan plans to move out of the current headquarters, or if it will lease it back. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or wishing to gain a pot cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to cost ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK , which produces the Qashqai and Juke , has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is 'quietly optimistic' about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also setup a cost-cutting 'transformation office' with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been 'empowered to make cost decisions'. On top of this development of vehicles and technology due after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings. MORE: Everything Nissan
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Nissan considering selling HQ to fund plant closures
Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur closing down seven factories and axing 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei, the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, and is only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan plans to move out of the current headquarters, or if it will lease it back. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or wishing to gain a pot cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to cost ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK, which produces the Qashqai and Juke, has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is 'quietly optimistic' about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also setup a cost-cutting 'transformation office' with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been 'empowered to make cost decisions'. On top of this development of vehicles and technology due after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings. MORE: Everything Nissan
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Nissan considering selling HQ to fund plant closures
Nissan may sell off its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to help finance the costs it will incur closing down seven factories and axing 20,000 jobs worldwide. According to the Nikkei, the company has placed its headquarters in Yokohama on the list of assets it might sell by the end of March 2026. Nissan's HQ is located on the banks on the Katabira River, and is only a few minutes walk from Yokohama station. Thanks to its prime location, it is estimated to be worth around ¥100 billion (A$1.07 billion). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The current HQ was opened in 2009 when then-CEO Carlos Ghosn relocated the company's headquarters from Tokyo back to its spiritual home in Yokohama. The building contains an extensive gallery showcasing some of the automaker's most iconic models, race cars, and concepts. It's unclear if Nissan plans to move out of the current headquarters, or if it will lease it back. So-called lease back arrangements are common for companies undergoing financial stress, or wishing to gain a pot cash to fund certain projects. Money raised by the sale of the building and property would be used to pay for restructuring costs related to Nissan's upcoming plant closures and workforce reduction. The automaker said restructuring costs are expected to cost ¥60 billion (A$640 million) in this current financial year alone. Nissan has been skating on thin financial ice for the last year-and-a-bit. Earlier this month it announced a loss of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 2025. In response new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa unveiled a recovery plan dubbed Re:Nissan, which will see the company reduce its factory count from 17 to 10, and cut its global workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 people, both by March 2028. A recent report indicates plants in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and India are facing the axe. The company's plant in the UK, which produces the Qashqai and Juke, has been ruled safe, and the head of Nissan Oceania is 'quietly optimistic' about the long-term future of Nissan's parts factory in Dandenong, Victoria. As part of the company's latest turnaround plan, Nissan will renegotiate its deals with suppliers, cut down on platforms, and reduce development times. It has also setup a cost-cutting 'transformation office' with an initial staff of 300 experts who have been 'empowered to make cost decisions'. On top of this development of vehicles and technology due after March 2027 has been paused in order to allocate 3000 people to find more savings.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Nissan's Australian plant future-proof after pivot to EV tech
Nissan's manufacturing facility in Australia appear to have a strong future – courtesy of a focus on electric and hybrid vehicle parts – despite recent plans to shut seven of the automaker's factories. Speaking to media at the Dandenong plant in southeast Melbourne, which opened in 1982, Nissan Oceania Vice President and Managing Director Andrew Humberstone was upbeat about the factory's future. It comes as the automaker's global cost-cutting drive saw it announce the closure of seven yet-to-be-determined factories globally by 2027 from the 17 it currently operates. The Australian plant has yet to be officially confirmed as ongoing – despite a $4.2 million investment in 2024 as well as the critical role its 192 staff play in supplying Nissan and Renault parts globally. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I can't comment to that degree," Mr Humberstone said when asked if the Dandenong site's future had been confirmed by its Japan head office – with only the Sunderland, UK, factory where the Nissan Qashqai SUV is made seemingly safe from closure so far. "What I can say is we'll be manufacturing Y63 [Patrol] parts as well as some of the newer electrified vehicles and models from here as well, which are products of the future. I think that speaks volumes. "I'm quietly optimistic that we'll continue to provide those components." The current Y62 Patrol – which the Dandenong plant provides parts for – has been in showrooms for more than a decade, with the supply of Y63 parts for global export a potential sign of long-term prospects. The plant has existing contracts for both Australian and export customers lasting beyond 2035. Yet the factory's move towards producing high-value components for hybrid and electric vehicles has added even more importance to the site's role – and given it an edge that may future-proof the plant for decades. Around 77 per cent of the plant's production – in terms of sales value – is now electric or hybrid related, compared to only around 54 per cent in 2021. "We positioned ourselves to be specialists," Peter Erhardt, the plant's energy and environmental coordinator, told CarExpert. The Dandenong plant can 'simultaneously design' and components and their manufacturing processes in collaboration with Nissan global design and engineering teams – or external customers. It then turns concepts into prototypes and tests parts before beginning mass-production, reducing time, cost and complexity. The automaker's global appetite for EV and hybrid components is only set to grow. Nissan has confirmed the new third generation Leaf EV will go on sale in Australia in 2026, made alongside the Qashqai e-Power SUV and an electric Micra hatchback in the UK – while it's also working on a raft of electric models which could include a ute. Both Mr Erhardt and Mr Humberstone were speaking at the official confirmation of the plant's 'Australian-made' certification, which requires a company to meet specific local manufacturing criteria to be able to make the claim. The automaker said the fee – which it would not confirm but based on the Australian Made website is around $25,000 annually – is well worth it. "Now we've got this Australian Made [certification], it lands a very strong message to the consumer on the back of what we're doing from a sales and marketing point of view, which is around building the brand," said Mr Humberstone. "Our creatives for advertising are done locally, at the back end what we're doing in terms of the [Nissan-owned] finance company, and what we're doing in terms of the 10-year/300,000km warranty."I think it cements and adds value. And it's authentic in the narrative we're talking to consumers about." Content originally sourced from: Nissan's manufacturing facility in Australia appear to have a strong future – courtesy of a focus on electric and hybrid vehicle parts – despite recent plans to shut seven of the automaker's factories. Speaking to media at the Dandenong plant in southeast Melbourne, which opened in 1982, Nissan Oceania Vice President and Managing Director Andrew Humberstone was upbeat about the factory's future. It comes as the automaker's global cost-cutting drive saw it announce the closure of seven yet-to-be-determined factories globally by 2027 from the 17 it currently operates. The Australian plant has yet to be officially confirmed as ongoing – despite a $4.2 million investment in 2024 as well as the critical role its 192 staff play in supplying Nissan and Renault parts globally. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I can't comment to that degree," Mr Humberstone said when asked if the Dandenong site's future had been confirmed by its Japan head office – with only the Sunderland, UK, factory where the Nissan Qashqai SUV is made seemingly safe from closure so far. "What I can say is we'll be manufacturing Y63 [Patrol] parts as well as some of the newer electrified vehicles and models from here as well, which are products of the future. I think that speaks volumes. "I'm quietly optimistic that we'll continue to provide those components." The current Y62 Patrol – which the Dandenong plant provides parts for – has been in showrooms for more than a decade, with the supply of Y63 parts for global export a potential sign of long-term prospects. The plant has existing contracts for both Australian and export customers lasting beyond 2035. Yet the factory's move towards producing high-value components for hybrid and electric vehicles has added even more importance to the site's role – and given it an edge that may future-proof the plant for decades. Around 77 per cent of the plant's production – in terms of sales value – is now electric or hybrid related, compared to only around 54 per cent in 2021. "We positioned ourselves to be specialists," Peter Erhardt, the plant's energy and environmental coordinator, told CarExpert. The Dandenong plant can 'simultaneously design' and components and their manufacturing processes in collaboration with Nissan global design and engineering teams – or external customers. It then turns concepts into prototypes and tests parts before beginning mass-production, reducing time, cost and complexity. The automaker's global appetite for EV and hybrid components is only set to grow. Nissan has confirmed the new third generation Leaf EV will go on sale in Australia in 2026, made alongside the Qashqai e-Power SUV and an electric Micra hatchback in the UK – while it's also working on a raft of electric models which could include a ute. Both Mr Erhardt and Mr Humberstone were speaking at the official confirmation of the plant's 'Australian-made' certification, which requires a company to meet specific local manufacturing criteria to be able to make the claim. The automaker said the fee – which it would not confirm but based on the Australian Made website is around $25,000 annually – is well worth it. "Now we've got this Australian Made [certification], it lands a very strong message to the consumer on the back of what we're doing from a sales and marketing point of view, which is around building the brand," said Mr Humberstone. "Our creatives for advertising are done locally, at the back end what we're doing in terms of the [Nissan-owned] finance company, and what we're doing in terms of the 10-year/300,000km warranty."I think it cements and adds value. And it's authentic in the narrative we're talking to consumers about." Content originally sourced from: Nissan's manufacturing facility in Australia appear to have a strong future – courtesy of a focus on electric and hybrid vehicle parts – despite recent plans to shut seven of the automaker's factories. Speaking to media at the Dandenong plant in southeast Melbourne, which opened in 1982, Nissan Oceania Vice President and Managing Director Andrew Humberstone was upbeat about the factory's future. It comes as the automaker's global cost-cutting drive saw it announce the closure of seven yet-to-be-determined factories globally by 2027 from the 17 it currently operates. The Australian plant has yet to be officially confirmed as ongoing – despite a $4.2 million investment in 2024 as well as the critical role its 192 staff play in supplying Nissan and Renault parts globally. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I can't comment to that degree," Mr Humberstone said when asked if the Dandenong site's future had been confirmed by its Japan head office – with only the Sunderland, UK, factory where the Nissan Qashqai SUV is made seemingly safe from closure so far. "What I can say is we'll be manufacturing Y63 [Patrol] parts as well as some of the newer electrified vehicles and models from here as well, which are products of the future. I think that speaks volumes. "I'm quietly optimistic that we'll continue to provide those components." The current Y62 Patrol – which the Dandenong plant provides parts for – has been in showrooms for more than a decade, with the supply of Y63 parts for global export a potential sign of long-term prospects. The plant has existing contracts for both Australian and export customers lasting beyond 2035. Yet the factory's move towards producing high-value components for hybrid and electric vehicles has added even more importance to the site's role – and given it an edge that may future-proof the plant for decades. Around 77 per cent of the plant's production – in terms of sales value – is now electric or hybrid related, compared to only around 54 per cent in 2021. "We positioned ourselves to be specialists," Peter Erhardt, the plant's energy and environmental coordinator, told CarExpert. The Dandenong plant can 'simultaneously design' and components and their manufacturing processes in collaboration with Nissan global design and engineering teams – or external customers. It then turns concepts into prototypes and tests parts before beginning mass-production, reducing time, cost and complexity. The automaker's global appetite for EV and hybrid components is only set to grow. Nissan has confirmed the new third generation Leaf EV will go on sale in Australia in 2026, made alongside the Qashqai e-Power SUV and an electric Micra hatchback in the UK – while it's also working on a raft of electric models which could include a ute. Both Mr Erhardt and Mr Humberstone were speaking at the official confirmation of the plant's 'Australian-made' certification, which requires a company to meet specific local manufacturing criteria to be able to make the claim. The automaker said the fee – which it would not confirm but based on the Australian Made website is around $25,000 annually – is well worth it. "Now we've got this Australian Made [certification], it lands a very strong message to the consumer on the back of what we're doing from a sales and marketing point of view, which is around building the brand," said Mr Humberstone. "Our creatives for advertising are done locally, at the back end what we're doing in terms of the [Nissan-owned] finance company, and what we're doing in terms of the 10-year/300,000km warranty."I think it cements and adds value. And it's authentic in the narrative we're talking to consumers about." Content originally sourced from: Nissan's manufacturing facility in Australia appear to have a strong future – courtesy of a focus on electric and hybrid vehicle parts – despite recent plans to shut seven of the automaker's factories. Speaking to media at the Dandenong plant in southeast Melbourne, which opened in 1982, Nissan Oceania Vice President and Managing Director Andrew Humberstone was upbeat about the factory's future. It comes as the automaker's global cost-cutting drive saw it announce the closure of seven yet-to-be-determined factories globally by 2027 from the 17 it currently operates. The Australian plant has yet to be officially confirmed as ongoing – despite a $4.2 million investment in 2024 as well as the critical role its 192 staff play in supplying Nissan and Renault parts globally. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I can't comment to that degree," Mr Humberstone said when asked if the Dandenong site's future had been confirmed by its Japan head office – with only the Sunderland, UK, factory where the Nissan Qashqai SUV is made seemingly safe from closure so far. "What I can say is we'll be manufacturing Y63 [Patrol] parts as well as some of the newer electrified vehicles and models from here as well, which are products of the future. I think that speaks volumes. "I'm quietly optimistic that we'll continue to provide those components." The current Y62 Patrol – which the Dandenong plant provides parts for – has been in showrooms for more than a decade, with the supply of Y63 parts for global export a potential sign of long-term prospects. The plant has existing contracts for both Australian and export customers lasting beyond 2035. Yet the factory's move towards producing high-value components for hybrid and electric vehicles has added even more importance to the site's role – and given it an edge that may future-proof the plant for decades. Around 77 per cent of the plant's production – in terms of sales value – is now electric or hybrid related, compared to only around 54 per cent in 2021. "We positioned ourselves to be specialists," Peter Erhardt, the plant's energy and environmental coordinator, told CarExpert. The Dandenong plant can 'simultaneously design' and components and their manufacturing processes in collaboration with Nissan global design and engineering teams – or external customers. It then turns concepts into prototypes and tests parts before beginning mass-production, reducing time, cost and complexity. The automaker's global appetite for EV and hybrid components is only set to grow. Nissan has confirmed the new third generation Leaf EV will go on sale in Australia in 2026, made alongside the Qashqai e-Power SUV and an electric Micra hatchback in the UK – while it's also working on a raft of electric models which could include a ute. Both Mr Erhardt and Mr Humberstone were speaking at the official confirmation of the plant's 'Australian-made' certification, which requires a company to meet specific local manufacturing criteria to be able to make the claim. The automaker said the fee – which it would not confirm but based on the Australian Made website is around $25,000 annually – is well worth it. "Now we've got this Australian Made [certification], it lands a very strong message to the consumer on the back of what we're doing from a sales and marketing point of view, which is around building the brand," said Mr Humberstone. "Our creatives for advertising are done locally, at the back end what we're doing in terms of the [Nissan-owned] finance company, and what we're doing in terms of the 10-year/300,000km warranty."I think it cements and adds value. And it's authentic in the narrative we're talking to consumers about." Content originally sourced from:
