Nissan to Cut 9,000 Jobs Worldwide as Part of Major Cost-Cutting Plan

Issue #266

09 Nov

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌧 Columbia Weather - Rainy with a high of 74

📰 Nissan to Cut 9,000 Jobs Worldwide as Part of Major Cost-Cutting Plan

🇺🇸 Monday: Spring Hill H.S. Veterans Day Program

📰 6 Months Until Deadline For Tennesseans to Get Real ID

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, November 9th

Sunday, November 10th

Monday, November 11th

Tuesday, November 12th

Wednesday, November 13th

Nissan to Cut 9,000 Jobs Worldwide as Part of Major Cost-Cutting Plan

Headquarters for management of NISSAN AMERICAS operations in Franklin, TN

Nissan Motor is taking significant steps to stabilize its finances, with plans to cut 9,000 jobs and reduce global manufacturing capacity by 20% as part of a $2.6 billion cost-reduction effort amid challenging sales conditions, particularly in China and the United States. With its U.S. corporate headquarters located in Franklin, Nissan’s fiscal moves aim to reduce losses by slashing 400 billion yen from its balance sheet, though specific impacts on its largest manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, remain unspecified.

The Smyrna plant currently produces models such as the Leaf, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Rogue, and QX60, while engine parts are manufactured at the Decherd Powertrain Plant. To increase operational efficiency, Nissan has committed to a 20% reduction in its global production output.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida has taken a voluntary 50% cut in his monthly salary as part of the company’s commitment to a leaner and more adaptive business model in response to a volatile market. In a recent statement, Nissan emphasized the need for swift transformation to weather ongoing challenges and build resilience.

The automaker, Japan's third-largest, has struggled to regain footing since the 2018 dismissal of former chairman Carlos Ghosn and the subsequent downsizing of its alliance with Renault. Nissan’s profit forecast has been revised down by 70% to 150 billion yen ($975 million) for this fiscal year, reflecting the strain in a competitive Chinese market where local EV manufacturers like BYD are capturing significant market share.

Nissan also faces hurdles in the U.S. where its hybrid lineup lags behind competitors. CEO Uchida acknowledged a delay in adapting to the growing demand for hybrids, especially compared to rivals like Toyota, which has seen a strong market for hybrid gasoline-petrol vehicles. Nissan has announced plans to focus on sustainable profitability and generate cash flow even with an anticipated sales target of 3.5 million units by fiscal year 2026, further underscoring the necessity for strategic pivots in its core model offerings.

The Yokohama-based company’s decision to lay off 9,000 employees represents 6.7% of its workforce, yet Nissan insists the move is designed not to shrink operations but to foster a more agile and adaptable corporate structure.

Monday: Spring Hill H.S. Veterans Day Program 

Maj. Douglas Harter will be the keynote speaker at the annual Spring Hill High School Veterans Day program. Harter is the Executive Officer for the Regimental Support Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard in Columbia. He served as an enlisted infantryman in the United States Marine Corps from 1991-1995 and has served in numerous leadership positions in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Harter's many awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (4), Marine Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal (2), among others. 

Cadet Lt. Col. Jacob Peluso-Harper will introduce the speaker. The school's Army J.R.O.T.C. color guard will present the National Colors. The award-winning S.H.H.S. Band will play "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Armed Forces Salute." The S.H.H.S. Choir will sing "In Flanders Fields" based on the poem by Maj. John McCrae. Cadet Staff Sgt. Ashlynn Johnson will sing "America the Beautiful."

Veterans will be recognized by branch of service. In a tribute to those veterans who have died, Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Adonai del Villar will light a memorial candle, and Aaliyah Bailey, a Battle Creek Elementary student and daughter of Mikayla Bailey, will drop rose petals. Cadet Capt. Cyris Brooks will play "Taps."

The program will take place in the school's gymnasium at 10 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 2024. Veterans and the general public are invited to attend.

1 Raider Lane, Columbia

6 Months Until Deadline For Tennesseans to Get Real ID

The REAL ID Act of 2005, which requires anyone 18 years old or older to have a REAL ID or other federally issued photo ID, such as a passport, to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States, will go into effect on May 7, 2025.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019. Of Tennessee's 5.8 million valid credentials, 1.6 million are not currently REAL ID compliant. Tennesseans are encouraged to decide before the implementation date to avoid the potential influx of customers to Driver Services Centers.

To apply for a REAL ID, customers must bring proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of your Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If your name has changed, you must also bring a certified legal document supporting the name change. All documents must be original or certified. Photocopies will not be accepted. A complete list of accepted documents can be found at tnrealid.gov.

Federal law requires REAL ID applications to be made in person. If you have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center or a participating County Clerk. If you do not have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you must apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center.

Obtaining a REAL ID is optional. Regular Tennessee driver licenses will continue to be accepted for general identification purposes such as driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco products, applying for federal benefits, voting, accessing hospitals, post offices, banks, federal courts, etc.

If you are getting a Tennessee license for the first time or it is time to renew your license, the cost to get a REAL ID is $28.00. If you get a REAL ID outside of your renewal period, there is an additional duplication fee of either $8 or $12 depending on your license classification. 

For more information about Tennessee REAL ID, visit tnrealid.gov.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, November 9th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
November Blues, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Deltaz, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
5x5, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, November 10th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Mary Lou, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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