Core Viewpoint - Nissan has significantly reduced the production plan for its new electric vehicle "LEAF" due to delays in battery procurement and lower-than-expected battery yield from its supplier, AESC, which poses challenges for the company's operational recovery [2][4][5]. Group 1: Production and Supply Chain Issues - The production plan for the new LEAF has been cut to less than half of the original plan for the months of September to November due to battery supply delays [2][4]. - The production plan for the new LEAF at the Tochigi plant has been adjusted for the fiscal year 2025, with significant reductions in production expected for September and October, with some months seeing declines of several thousand units [4]. - The battery yield from AESC has not met expectations, impacting Nissan's ability to secure sufficient battery supply, which may affect actual sales performance [4][5]. Group 2: Market Performance and Strategic Direction - Nissan is facing declining sales in the U.S. market, with a projected consolidated loss of 670.8 billion yen for the fiscal year 2024, compared to a profit of 426.6 billion yen in the previous year [5]. - The new LEAF is positioned as a key model for improving Nissan's performance, with the company implementing factory restructuring and layoffs as part of its strategy to enhance long-term performance [5]. - Nissan's global new car sales fell to 1.61 million units in the first half of 2025, a 6% year-on-year decrease, marking a 16-year low, and the company has dropped out of the top ten in global new car sales [7]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Nissan, once a leader in the EV market, is losing market presence due to the rise of competitors like Tesla and BYD, particularly in the U.S. market [7]. - The domestic market in Japan is becoming increasingly competitive, with Honda launching its lightweight electric vehicle "N-ONE e:" and BYD planning to introduce a lightweight electric vehicle by fiscal year 2026 [7].

Core Insights - Nissan's global sales in July 2025 exceeded the previous year's performance for the first time in 16 months, with a year-on-year increase of 1%, reaching 262,745 units [2] - The launch of the electric vehicle "N7" in China has significantly boosted sales, contributing to a 22% year-on-year increase in sales, totaling 57,359 units [4] - Despite improvements in sales performance, the domestic market in Japan and Europe remains sluggish, with Japan experiencing a 19% decline, the largest among the eight major Japanese automakers [4] Regional Performance - China has played a crucial role in driving sales growth, with a notable 22% increase [4] - North America saw a 4% increase in sales, totaling 107,929 units, despite a decline in the U.S. market [4] - Japan's domestic sales have decreased by 19%, indicating ongoing challenges in the local market [4] Future Outlook - Nissan plans to undertake a comprehensive improvement of the EV "LEAF" (known as "聆风" in China) for the first time in eight years, which is seen as a critical factor for reversing the current sales decline [4]

Core Viewpoint - Nissan's global sales in July reached 262,745 units, marking a 1% year-on-year increase, with significant growth in the Chinese market contributing to this performance [2][4]. Group 1: Sales Performance - In July, Nissan's sales in China grew by 22%, totaling 57,359 units, which helped offset declines in Japan and Europe [2][4]. - The launch of the pure electric sedan "N7" in China in late April has been a strong performer, compensating for the downturn in other markets [2][4]. - Despite a decline in U.S. sales, North America overall saw a 4% increase, reaching 107,929 units [4]. Group 2: Market Challenges - Japan's domestic sales fell by 19%, the largest drop among eight major automakers in the country [4]. - The overall production of Japan's eight major passenger car companies decreased by 2% year-on-year, totaling 1,978,949 units in July [4]. - Mazda experienced the largest decline, with a 23% drop in production, falling to 86,551 units, and a significant 28% decrease in domestic production [4].

Core Viewpoint - Nissan's global new car sales have dropped significantly, leading to its first exit from the top ten rankings in 16 years, with a 6% year-on-year decrease to 1.61 million units [1][3][8]. Group 1: Sales Performance - Nissan's sales in the first half of 2025 reached 1.61 million units, marking a 6% decline compared to the previous year, the lowest level since 2009 [3][8]. - The company has been surpassed in sales by Chinese automakers BYD and Suzuki, with BYD's sales increasing by 33% to 2.14 million units [8][9]. - In the Chinese market, Nissan's sales fell by 18% to 270,000 units, a 60% decrease compared to its peak in 2018 [3][8]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Nissan reported a consolidated loss of 115.7 billion yen for the April to June 2025 period, a stark contrast to a profit of 28.5 billion yen in the same period of 2024, marking four consecutive quarters of losses [3][8]. - The decline in sales has put pressure on fixed costs, further exacerbating the company's financial difficulties [3]. Group 3: Market Challenges - In the U.S. market, Nissan's hybrid vehicle lineup is insufficient, and the company missed out on demand due to new tariffs on automobiles [6][9]. - The competitive landscape in China is intensifying, with price wars expected to escalate, impacting sales growth for companies like BYD [9]. - Nissan plans to launch a new version of its electric vehicle LEAF in Japan by the end of 2025, but many key models will not be available until 2026, indicating ongoing challenges in product offerings [9].

Core Viewpoint - Nissan is reintroducing the LEAF as a compact SUV with significant improvements in range and charging efficiency, aiming to regain its presence in the competitive EV market [1][2]. Group 1: Product Overview - The third-generation LEAF features a range increase of 30%, exceeding 600 kilometers, making it one of the best in the world [1][2]. - The new LEAF can be charged to meet daily usage needs in just 35 minutes [3]. - Nissan plans to sell the new LEAF in the U.S. starting in fall 2025, followed by Japan and Europe [2]. Group 2: Market Positioning - The LEAF is positioned as a standard vehicle within Nissan's EV lineup, alongside other models like the "Sakura" and "ARIYA" [2]. - The shift from a hatchback to a compact SUV format is expected to enhance consumer appeal, as SUVs are increasingly popular globally [2]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The new LEAF's range surpasses competitors like BYD's "ATTO3" and Volkswagen's "ID.3," which both have ranges below 600 kilometers [2]. - The first-generation LEAF was a market leader, but Nissan has fallen behind competitors like BYD and Tesla in price and performance [4]. Group 4: Strategic Challenges - Nissan's recent operational restructuring includes significant personnel adjustments and the abandonment of plans to build a domestic battery factory in Japan, which could impact cost competitiveness [4]. - The pricing strategy for the new LEAF remains a key focus, with Nissan aiming for competitive pricing while ensuring profitability [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the challenges faced by Japanese automakers, particularly Nissan and Toyota, in establishing domestic EV battery production facilities, while Chinese companies continue to dominate the global EV battery market [1][2][3]. Group 1: Nissan and Toyota's Battery Plans - Nissan has announced the abandonment of its plan to build its first EV battery factory in Japan due to poor performance and the inability to make significant investments, despite having signed a site agreement just three months prior [1][2]. - Toyota has also decided to postpone the construction of its battery factory originally planned for spring 2025 in Fukuoka Prefecture, which was intended to produce batteries for next-generation EV models [2][3]. Group 2: Investment Challenges - The investment burden for EV batteries is substantial, with Nissan's planned investment amounting to approximately 153.3 billion yen, seeking a subsidy of up to 55.7 billion yen from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [2]. - The failure of Nissan and Toyota to proceed with their battery factory plans poses significant implications for the growth strategies of Japanese automakers and the Japanese government's goal of establishing a domestic battery supply chain [2]. Group 3: Market Position and Competition - In 2024, CATL, a Chinese company, is projected to hold a 37.9% share of the global automotive battery market, with six out of the top ten companies being Chinese, while Panasonic ranks sixth among Japanese firms [3]. - Japanese companies are currently lagging behind Chinese firms in the battery materials sector, with Chinese companies holding dominant market shares in key components such as cathodes (89.4%) and anodes (93.5%) [4]. Group 4: Broader Industry Implications - The Japanese government has set a target to increase domestic battery production capacity to 150 GWh by 2030, but the recent setbacks from Nissan and Toyota make achieving this goal more challenging [2]. - The article draws parallels between the current situation in the Japanese automotive industry and past struggles in the Japanese electronics sector, suggesting that prioritizing short-term gains over long-term investments could lead to similar declines [6].

Group 1 - Nissan is considering closing two factories in Mexico and two in Kanagawa, Japan, along with one factory each in South Africa, India, and Argentina, as part of a global strategy to reduce production capacity [2][3] - The company aims to shift focus from emerging markets to core markets such as Japan, the US, Europe, and China, marking a significant change in its previous growth strategy [2][3] - In the fiscal year 2024, Nissan plans to produce 3.1 million vehicles, with Mexico contributing 670,000 units (20%), India over 150,000 units, Argentina nearly 20,000 units, and South Africa 10,000 units [2] Group 2 - The company is facing intense competition in China, particularly from local firms like BYD, and is focusing on improving production efficiency while launching new AI-equipped electric vehicles [4] - In the US, Nissan is struggling with sales due to its inability to launch hybrid vehicles, while also facing challenges from tariffs that necessitate increased local production [4] - Nissan plans to reduce the number of vehicle platforms from 13 to 7 by 2035, aiming to streamline its global product strategy [4] Group 3 - The company intends to cut the number of components by 70% to enhance development efficiency, with a target to reduce fixed and variable costs by 500 billion yen by fiscal year 2026 [5] - The planned layoffs will increase to 20,000, aligning with the scale of the previous revival plan proposed by former chairman Carlos Ghosn [5] - The company’s president, Ivan Espinosa, emphasizes the need to leverage the brand's popularity while balancing corporate strength and product appeal [5]