Nissan Motor Company announced that it plans to shut down vehicle production at its Oppama plant in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture at the end of the 2027 fiscal year. The decision is part of a previously-announced, Re:Nissan global restructuring plan in which the company said it plans to close seven of its seventeen vehicle assembly plants currently in operation globally.
The Oppama plant was originally opened in 1961 and currently produces the Note and Note Aura compact models, employing around 2,400 people. Production will be transferred to the company’s plant in Kyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.
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The Japanese automaker confirmed that the decision only affects the Oppama assembly plant, within the Oppama district. Other operations in the district, such as the Nissan Research Center, the Grandrive proving ground, the nearby crash test facility, and Oppama Wharf, will be unaffected by the decision and will continue to operate as usual. Nissan said it will explore “a wide range of options” for the future utilization of the Oppama plant after production ends.
Nissan’s CEO, Ivan Espinosa, said in a statement: “Today, Nissan made a tough but necessary decision. It wasn’t easy—for me or for the company—but I believe it is a vital step toward overcoming our current challenges and building a sustainable future. The Oppama Plant is a proud part of our history, and its legacy will endure. I want to sincerely thank our employees, the local community, and our partners who have supported this plant with dedication and heart. We will continue to operate in the Oppama area with strong support for the local community, as we carry forward the spirit of the Oppama plant and work to restore Nissan’s true value.”
Under the Re:Nissan restructuring programme, Nissan aims to reduce its global production capacity from 3.5 million units per year (excluding China) to 2.5 million units. The company has determined that discontinuing operations at its Oppama plant and consolidating production at its Kyushu facility is “the most effective solution to reduce capacity in Japan, based on the plant’s production capacity, cost efficiency, and investment requirements.”
The company confirmed that consolidating production at Kyushu will help it “significantly reduce manufacturing costs in Japan, strengthen plant competitiveness, improve product profitability, and support Nissan’s long-term growth.” Nissan also announced that production of the NV200 at its Shatai Shonan Plant in Japan will end in fiscal year 2026, with a successor planned to be launched in fiscal year 2027.
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