Nissan to close auto plant in Mexico, cutting 2,400 jobs

Automaker moving production to its manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico

The Nissan plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico, produces versions of the Versa model sold in the U.S. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. plans to close its CIVAC manufacturing plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico, due to restructuring measures amid sluggish global sales.

The company will transfer all vehicle production from Cuernavaca to the Nissan complex in the Mexican city of Aguascalientes by March 2026, according to a news release on Tuesday.

Cuernavaca is located in south central Mexico, about 360 miles south of Aguascalientes.

“Today we have made a difficult but necessary decision that will allow us to be more efficient, competitive, and sustainable,” Nissan CEO Iván Espinosa said in a statement. “I take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our employees, customers, and to Mexico, which remains a strategic pillar for our company.”

The restructuring will directly impact 2,400 workers at the CIVAC Cuernavaca plant. When the factory opened in 1966, it was the first Nissan auto plant outside of Japan.

The Cuernavaca plant produces versions of its Frontier model built for Mexican and South America markets. The factory also assembles versions of the Nissan Versa model sold in Mexico and the U.S.

Nissan announced in 2024 plans to reduce global production capacity from 3.5 million units to 2.5 million units by reducing production sites in Japan and internationally from 17 to 10 by 2027.

As part of the restructuring, Nissan plans to slash about 15% of its global work force, about 20,000 employees.


Upcoming FreightWaves Events
AI

Supply Chain AI Symposium

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

July 15, 2026
The Old Post • Chicago, IL
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
AI Supply Chain AI Symposium Jul 15 • The Old Post • Chicago, IL

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

The Old Post • Chicago, IL Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Noi Mahoney

Noi Mahoney is a Texas-based journalist who covers cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains for FreightWaves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1998. Mahoney has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working for newspapers in Maryland and Texas. Contact nmahoney@freightwaves.com