Tamatnya Era Kepimpinan Uchida

Sejak dilantik sebagai CEO pada 2019, Uchida telah memimpin Nissan melalui tempoh mencabar susulan pemergian bekas ketua eksekutif, Carlos Ghosn. Sepanjang tempoh kepimpinannya, Nissan berusaha untuk menstabilkan kedudukan kewangan serta mencari rakan strategik bagi memastikan daya saingnya dalam pasaran global.

Namun, tempoh kepimpinan Uchida turut dibayangi oleh beberapa kegagalan utama, termasuk kegagalan rundingan penggabungan dengan Honda. Rundingan tersebut menemui jalan buntu berikutan perbezaan pendapat mengenai struktur perkongsian. Honda dilaporkan ingin mengambil alih Nissan sebagai anak syarikat, satu cadangan yang ditolak oleh pihak pengurusan Nissan.

Pemergian Uchida menimbulkan spekulasi bahawa Nissan mungkin menyemak semula perbincangan penggabungan dengan Honda. Sumber dalaman mencadangkan bahawa meskipun pengambilalihan penuh masih tidak mungkin, Nissan mungkin terbuka kepada bentuk kerjasama lain yang membolehkan ia mengekalkan autonominya.

Kepimpinan Baharu dan Penyusunan Semula Strategik

Ivan Espinosa, yang sebelum ini memegang jawatan sebagai Ketua Pegawai Perancangan Nissan, akan mengambil alih tugas sebagai CEO. Beliau akan dibantu oleh barisan kepimpinan yang telah disusun semula bagi memperkukuh hala tuju syarikat. Antara perubahan utama yang diumumkan termasuk:

• Guillaume Cartier – Kini bertanggungjawab ke atas pemasaran global dan pengalaman pelanggan.
• Eiichi Akashi – Dilantik sebagai Ketua Pegawai Teknologi, menggantikan Kunio Nakaguro.
• Teiji Hirata – Menggalas peranan sebagai Ketua Pegawai Monozukuri, mengawasi pembuatan dan pengurusan rantaian bekalan.
• Jérémie Papin – Walaupun sebelum ini dianggap sebagai calon CEO, beliau kini dilantik sebagai Pegawai Eksekutif sambil mengekalkan peranannya sebagai Ketua Pegawai Kewangan.

Pelantikan Espinosa berlaku pada saat genting bagi Nissan, yang sedang berusaha mempercepatkan peralihan kepada teknologi elektrifikasi serta meneroka peluang kerjasama baharu. Syarikat itu dilaporkan sedang mengadakan rundingan dengan gergasi teknologi Taiwan, Foxconn, bagi memperkukuh pembangunan kenderaan elektriknya. Selain itu, masih terdapat persoalan mengenai masa depan perkongsian Nissan dengan Mitsubishi, ketika syarikat mencari strategi terbaik untuk menstabilkan kedudukannya di pasaran.

Detik Penentuan Masa Depan Nissan

Nissan telah menghadapi pelbagai cabaran sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, bermula daripada kejatuhan dramatik Carlos Ghosn kepada pertarungan undang-undang yang berlanjutan. Walaupun usaha sedang dijalankan untuk menyusun semula operasi dan mengukuhkan jenama, syarikat masih menghadapi tekanan hebat daripada pesaing industri, termasuk Toyota, Honda, serta pengeluar EV dari China yang semakin agresif.

Dengan pelantikan Espinosa sebagai CEO baharu, industri akan memerhati dengan teliti sama ada beliau mampu membawa Nissan keluar daripada krisis semasa dan kembali sebagai pesaing utama dalam industri automotif global. Dalam beberapa bulan akan datang, keputusan strategik yang dibuat oleh kepimpinan baharu akan menjadi faktor penentu sama ada Nissan akan memilih untuk meneruskan strategi bebasnya, menjalin pakatan baharu, atau menghidupkan semula perbincangan penggabungan dengan Honda bagi memastikan daya saingnya di masa hadapan.

The End of Uchida’s Tenure

Since taking over in 2019, Uchida steered Nissan through a turbulent period following the controversial departure of former CEO Carlos Ghosn. However, his tenure has been marked by persistent challenges, including declining profitability and an inability to secure a long-term strategic partnership. The most notable setback was Nissan’s failed merger talks with Honda, which collapsed due to disagreements over the structure of the partnership. Honda had proposed acquiring Nissan as a subsidiary rather than forming an equal alliance, a condition that Nissan executives strongly opposed.

With Uchida’s exit now confirmed, speculation is mounting over whether Nissan will revisit merger discussions with Honda. Internal sources suggest that while a full acquisition remains unlikely, the company may be open to securing financial backing while retaining its autonomy.

New Leadership and Strategic Realignment

Espinosa, who previously served as Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer, will take over as CEO, with a restructured Executive Committee reporting directly to him. As part of the overhaul:

• Guillaume Cartier, currently Chief Performance Officer, will now oversee global marketing and customer experience.
• Eiichi Akashi will step in as Chief Technology Officer, replacing Kunio Nakaguro.
• Teiji Hirata will take over as Chief Monozukuri Officer, responsible for manufacturing and supply chain management.
• Jérémie Papin, initially considered as a potential CEO candidate, has been named Executive Officer while retaining his role as Chief Financial Officer.

The leadership changes come at a critical juncture for Nissan, which is not only dealing with internal restructuring but also exploring new strategic partnerships. The company is reportedly in discussions with Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn to bolster its electric vehicle development. At the same time, questions remain over the future role of its long-time alliance partner, Mitsubishi, as Nissan seeks new opportunities to stabilize its market position.

A Critical Moment for Nissan

Nissan’s ongoing challenges are deeply rooted in years of instability, exacerbated by Ghosn’s dramatic exit and legal battles. Despite efforts to rebuild its brand and streamline operations, the automaker continues to struggle against intensifying competition. The rapid rise of Chinese EV manufacturers, coupled with increasing pressure from domestic rivals like Toyota and Honda, has further strained Nissan’s market standing.

As the company embarks on this leadership transition, industry analysts will closely watch whether Espinosa and his team can navigate Nissan toward a more secure future. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Nissan chooses to revive merger discussions with Honda, forge new alliances, or pursue an independent strategy to reclaim its competitive edge.

Since taking over in 2019, Uchida has led Nissan through a turbulent period following the high-profile exit of former CEO Carlos Ghosn. However, his inability to secure a merger with Honda, a move that was initially seen as a potential solution to Nissan’s ongoing challenges, has reportedly contributed to his departure. Internal sources suggest that significant personnel changes are expected, including at the top level. Among those being considered as potential successors are Chief Financial Officer Jeremie Papin, Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinos, and Chief Performance Officer Guillaume Cartier. It remains uncertain whether the next CEO will be appointed on an interim or permanent basis.

Discussions between Nissan and Honda earlier this year over a potential merger fell apart due to disagreements regarding the structure of the partnership. Honda had proposed making Nissan a subsidiary rather than an equal partner, a condition that Nissan executives strongly opposed. With Uchida now on his way out, there is speculation that Nissan may be more open to reconsidering Honda’s investment, though a full subsidiary arrangement remains uncertain. Sources within Nissan suggest that talks are likely to resume with a focus on securing financial support while maintaining some degree of autonomy.

In addition to revisiting a potential partnership with Honda, Nissan is also exploring other strategic alliances. The company has reportedly entered discussions with Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, a move that could bolster its electric vehicle development. Meanwhile, questions remain over the future role of Nissan’s long-time alliance partner, Mitsubishi, as the automaker seeks new opportunities to stabilise its position in the industry.

Nissan’s ongoing struggles can be traced back to years of internal instability, worsened by Ghosn’s abrupt departure and legal troubles. Despite efforts to rebuild the company’s brand and operations, the automaker continues to face significant challenges. The rapid rise of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, coupled with fierce competition from domestic rivals such as Toyota and Honda, has placed additional strain on Nissan’s market position.

With a leadership transition now imminent, Nissan’s next steps will be closely watched. Whether the company chooses to re-engage in merger discussions with Honda, pursue an alternative alliance, or chart a new independent course, the decisions made in the coming weeks could shape its future trajectory.

Walau bagaimanapun, laporan Reuters menunjukkan kemungkinan Uchida mengekalkan jawatannya. Kontraknya yang akan tamat pada 2026 memberi ruang untuknya meneruskan kepimpinan syarikat, meskipun beliau sebelum ini menyatakan kesediaan untuk berundur jika diminta. Uchida juga menegaskan komitmennya untuk menstabilkan syarikat sebelum meninggalkan jawatan tersebut, meskipun matlamat itu semakin mencabar selepas kegagalan penggabungan dengan Honda.

Cabaran Kewangan Nissan

Nissan kini berhadapan dengan cabaran kewangan yang ketara, dengan syarikat itu menjangkakan kerugian kira-kira ¥80 bilion (RM2.48 bilion) menjelang akhir Mac. Rancangan pemulihan yang dicadangkan oleh Uchida gagal mencapai hasil yang diharapkan, sekali gus menambah tekanan kepada syarikat yang turut berdepan obligasi hutang yang besar.

Masalah kewangan Nissan mula menjadi ketara sejak separuh kedua tahun 2023. Di pasaran Amerika Syarikat, kebimbangan mula timbul apabila Nissan meminta pengedar menjual kenderaan dengan kerugian untuk mengekalkan bahagian pasaran. Langkah ini memberi kesan negatif kepada keuntungan pengedar menjelang Ogos tahun lalu. Dalam tempoh yang sama, Nissan dan Honda mengumumkan kerjasama dengan penyertaan Mitsubishi dalam usaha bersama bagi membangunkan kenderaan elektrik (EV) dan penyepaduan perisian. Bekas CEO Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, mengkritik kerjasama tersebut dengan menyifatkannya sebagai “pengambilalihan terselindung” oleh Honda.

Langkah Penstrukturan Semula

Menjelang November 2023, cabaran kewangan Nissan semakin ketara. Syarikat itu mengumumkan pelan pemulihan yang melibatkan pemberhentian 9,000 pekerja, pengurangan pegangan dalam Mitsubishi, serta pengurangan kapasiti pengeluaran global. Pengeluaran model crossover popular, Rogue, juga telah dipotong lebih awal tahun ini. Beberapa eksekutif kanan syarikat memberi amaran bahawa Nissan hanya mempunyai baki tempoh operasi antara 12 hingga 14 bulan sebelum kehabisan dana.

Pada akhir Disember, Nissan dan Honda mengesahkan perbincangan penggabungan, namun rundingan tersebut menemui kegagalan dalam masa singkat. Honda dikatakan berusaha menjadikan Nissan sebagai anak syarikatnya, namun cadangan ini ditolak oleh Nissan. Penggabungan itu akhirnya dibatalkan secara rasmi pada awal Februari tahun ini.

Masa Depan Nissan

Berikutan kegagalan rundingan penggabungan, Nissan kini mencari peluang baharu dalam bentuk perkongsian strategik. Uchida mengakui bahawa syarikatnya menghadapi kesukaran untuk bertahan tanpa kerjasama luar. Dalam perkembangan terbaru, syarikat elektronik gergasi Taiwan, Foxconn, dilaporkan berminat untuk bekerjasama dengan Nissan, sementara Honda pula tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk meneruskan rundingan semula.

Dalam beberapa bulan akan datang, masa depan Nissan akan terus menjadi perhatian, dengan kepimpinan dan hala tuju strategik syarikat berada di bawah penelitian rapi. Kejelasan lanjut mengenai rancangan syarikat itu dijangka diumumkan pada awal bulan Mac.

Despite these reports, Reuters suggests that Uchida may retain his position. His contract is set to expire in 2026, and while he has previously stated his willingness to step down if asked, he has also expressed his intent to stabilize the company before his departure. However, this goal has become increasingly challenging following the collapse of the Honda merger.

Nissan is bracing for a substantial financial setback, anticipating a loss of approximately ¥80 billion (RM2.48 billion) by the end of March. This comes after Uchida’s proposed turnaround plan failed to yield the expected results. Compounding Nissan’s troubles, the company faces significant debt obligations in the coming year.

Signs of Nissan’s struggles first emerged in the latter half of 2023. In the U.S. market, concerns arose in May when Nissan requested that dealers sell vehicles at a loss to maintain market share, a move that negatively impacted dealership profitability by August. Around the same time, Nissan and Honda expanded their collaboration, incorporating Mitsubishi into joint efforts focused on electric vehicle (EV) development and software integration. Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn criticized the partnership, characterizing it as a “disguised takeover” by Honda.

By November, Nissan’s financial challenges became more pronounced. The company announced plans to lay off 9,000 employees, reduce its stake in Mitsubishi, and scale back global production capacity. Production of its popular Rogue crossover had already been cut earlier in the year. By the end of the month, some company executives privately warned that Nissan had only 12 to 14 months of operational runway left.

In late December, Nissan and Honda formally announced merger discussions. However, the talks quickly fell apart when Honda sought to make Nissan a subsidiary rather than an equal partner—a proposal Nissan firmly rejected. The merger was officially abandoned earlier this month.

Now standing alone, Nissan remains open to new strategic partnerships. Uchida recently acknowledged the difficulty of survival without external collaboration, reinforcing the company’s interest in securing alliances. Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn has reportedly expressed interest in partnering with Nissan, while Honda has not entirely ruled out revisiting negotiations.

The coming months will be pivotal for Nissan’s future, with its leadership and strategic direction under intense scrutiny. Further clarity on the automaker’s plans is expected early next month.

Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida emphasised that The Arc plan reflects the company’s continuous progression and ability to navigate changing market conditions. Through decisive actions outlined in the plan, Nissan aims to achieve sustainable growth and profitability amidst extreme market volatility.

The plan comprises mid-term imperatives for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 and mid-to-long-term actions extending through 2030. One of the key objectives is to ensure volume growth through a tailored regional strategy and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). By fiscal year 2026, Nissan targets an increase in annual sales by 1 million units and aims to achieve an operating profit margin of over 6%.

To support its growth objectives, Nissan plans to launch 30 new models globally over the next three years, with 16 being electrified and 14 internal-combustion engine (ICE) models. The company aims for electrified vehicles to represent 40% of global sales by fiscal year 2026 and 60% by 2030.

The plan includes region-specific strategies, such as increasing sales across regions, launching new models, and enhancing EV competitiveness. Notable initiatives include the launch of seven all-new models in the U.S. and Canada, refreshment of 73% of Nissan-brand models in China, and the introduction of six all-new models in Europe.

In addition to product development, Nissan plans to leverage new development and manufacturing approaches to make EVs more affordable and increase profitability. These initiatives include reducing the cost of next-generation EVs by 30% and achieving cost parity between EVs and ICE models by fiscal year 2030.

Strategic partnerships will play a crucial role in Nissan’s global portfolio expansion and technology development. The company aims to collaborate with partners to develop batteries and increase global capacity to 135 gigawatt hours.

Financial discipline is another cornerstone of The Arc plan, with Nissan aiming to maintain stable investments in research and development (R&D) and achieve a positive free cash flow. The company plans to invest over 400 billion yen in battery capacity and increase electrification investments progressively.

Uchida concluded by expressing Nissan’s confidence in executing The Arc plan, which will provide a solid foundation to realise the company’s long-term vision outlined in Nissan Ambition 2030.