The Blubber

Nissan is facing significant challenges. Dealers are selling cars at a loss, production has slowed, and the company recently cut thousands of jobs and sold a third of its stake in Mitsubishi. However, these measures might not be enough to secure its future.

According to a report from the Financial Times, Nissan’s survival is uncertain. Two unnamed executives reportedly said the automaker has “12 to 14 months to survive.” They added, “This is going to be tough. And in the end, we need Japan and the US to be generating cash.”

Nissan is actively searching for a new long-term investor, possibly a bank or a major insurance group, to offset some of Renault’s equity holdings. The company has not ruled out the possibility of Honda taking a majority stake, stating that “all options” remain open. Recently, Nissan partnered with Honda and Mitsubishi for long-term electric vehicle (EV) development, signaling a shift in its strategic alliances.

Renault is also exploring changes to its 25-year alliance with Nissan, including potentially selling part of its shares to Honda. An insider suggested that a deeper partnership between Honda and Nissan could be beneficial for Renault, calling it a "positive development."

The automaker's financial struggles are evident. Slow sales in the U.S. and Japan prompted Nissan to cut more than 9,000 jobs and reduce production by nearly 20% earlier this month. The company’s operating profit plummeted by 85% in the third quarter, and it reported a net loss of ¥9.3 billion ($60.1 million). Nissan hopes to save $3 billion through job cuts and reduced production as part of its restructuring efforts.