Nissan Motor Co. has announced plans to expand its workforce in India amidst global restructuring and cost-cutting measures.
This move defies the broader trend of job cuts and production reductions.
The Japanese automaker is betting big on the Indian market, aiming to turn around its operations and capitalize on the country’s fast-growing car market.
Nissan Motor Co.: Strategic Expansion in India
Nissan India Operations President Frank Torres revealed that the company has increased its headcount at the Chennai plant by 600 to accommodate a third shift.
This move is part of Nissan’s strategy to boost production and introduce two new models in the coming months.
Despite the global turbulence, Nissan’s plans for India remain intact, with the company aiming to triple its domestic and export volumes to 1 lakh units each per annum by the end of fiscal year 2026.
In November 2024, Nissan announced a global restructuring plan that includes cutting 9,000 jobs and reducing production by 20% to save costs.
However, Frank emphasized that these measures will not impact India’s operations.
Frank said, “Contrary to the perception, in India, we are strengthening our members, growing our production, and we just included almost 600 new employments in our manufacturing plant in Chennai”.
He added that the company is committed to maintaining competitiveness in the market, which is crucial for its success.
Support from the Tamil Nadu Government
The Tamil Nadu government has been a strong supporter of Nissan’s expansion plans.
The company has committed to increasing its headcount based on new investments, with the state government providing necessary support.
This partnership is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs across manufacturing and research and development (R&D) as part of Nissan’s $600 million investment plan announced in 2023.
Nissan’s expansion in India is part of a broader commitment to growth and innovation.
The company plans to launch five new models over the next 30 months, aiming to capture a larger share of the Indian car market.
The third shift at the Chennai plant started recently. It will help achieve full capacity utilization of the manufacturing plant.
Frank noted that the company is also refurbishing one production line to adapt to new technologies, such as EVs.
This refurbishment is in preparation for the planned launch of an electric SUV.
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