Mercedes-Benz’s pension trust is poised to divest its approximately $346m shareholding in Nissan Motor, which equates to a 3.8% stake in the Japanese automaker, reported Reuters.
This move by the German car manufacturer adds to the existing pressure on Nissan’s share price, which has seen a 24% decline this year.
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Nissan has been grappling with challenges such as US tariffs, extensive restructuring, and a dip in sales volumes. These factors have significantly impacted its share price.
Mercedes’s decision to sell reflects growing investor concerns regarding the effectiveness of Nissan’s recovery strategy, which involves ceasing operations at select factories in Japan and abroad to cut costs and improve profitability.
The spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz clarified that the Nissan stake, which became part of the pension assets in 2016, holds no strategic value for the company.
The sale of the remaining 3.8% stake is part of a broader initiative to streamline the company’s investment portfolio, the spokesperson added.
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By GlobalDataNissan, on the other hand, has not provided an immediate response to the announcement.
Previously, Nissan offloaded its 1.5% holding in Mercedes, then known as Daimler AG, in early 2021 as a measure to alleviate its financial challenges.
Nissan Motor’s shares dropped approximately 6% on Tuesday, after Mercedes-Benz announced the intended sale of its substantial stake, according to a Reuters report.
This downturn in share value underscores the market’s scepticism about Nissan’s ability to navigate through its current challenges, which include not only tariffs but also declining sales in crucial markets like the US and China.
These issues contributed to a $535m loss for Nissan in the quarter ending June.
The Japanese automaker’s global sale volume declined by 5% year-on-year to 262,133 vehicles in June 2025, including Nissan and Infiniti-branded models, with domestic and overseas volumes both weaker.
