Nissan to End Production at Iconic Factory

Nissan has announced that vehicle production at the Oppama plant in Yokosuka City will cease by the end of the 2027 fiscal year. 

The end of production at Oppama comes as part of the RE:Nissan plan, which aims to cut costs by over 500 Billion Yen (approximately 5.2 Billion AUD) amid the brand’s financial struggles. 

The plan involves the closure of seven out of Nissan’s 17 factories, with the Oppama plant – which has been producing cars as far back as 1961 – cut from the Japanese marque’s production roster. 

The first model produced at Oppama was the Datsun Bluebird, with the factory later going on to manufacture offerings such as the Nissan Cube, Tida, and Leaf. 

It was also Japan’s first full-scale passenger car factory, and the first in the country to use welding robots in production in 1970. 

Nissan’s vehicle production at Oppama will instead be consolidated at their plant in Kyushu. 

The Oppama plant’s future beyond Nissan currently remains uncertain, although the plant's workers will remain in employment until the end of the 2027 fiscal year. 

The fate of the factory may lie with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, Foxconn – who were reportedly in talks with Nissan about using the plant to build electric vehicles, likely using the Foxtron brand name – however, no official plans have been confirmed. 

Over 17.8 million vehicles have been produced at the Oppama plant, and the factory reportedly employs 2,400 people.