Nissan forecasts $4.2bn loss amid sluggish sales

February 12, 2026 (MLN): Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. has declared that it expects to report a net loss of 650bn yen ($4.2bn) for its fiscal year ending March 2026, showing ongoing challenges in global sales.

The projected loss is roughly double the amount anticipated, highlighting the severity of headwinds facing the company, according to APP citing Bloomberg

Despite the bleak net profit outlook, Nissan has sharply revised down its annual operating loss forecast to 60bn yen, a significant improvement from the 275bn yen initially projected in October.

The company attributes this positive revision to the acceleration of its restructuring measures, including plant consolidation, workforce optimization, and improved marketing efficiency.

Revenue for the year is expected to decline by 5.8%, reached 11.9tr yen, as Nissan navigates weaker demand in key markets and the lingering impact of US tariffs.

The automaker’s sales have been under pressure, particularly in the United States, where a temporary increase in tariffs earlier in the year affected pricing and competitiveness.

Japanese cars, previously taxed at 27.5%, only benefited from the reduced 15% US tariff from mid-September, following a July trade agreement.

Nissan’s operational strategy includes reducing global vehicle production plants from 17 to 10 by March 2028 and cutting 20,000 jobs worldwide within the same timeframe.

The company has reported steady progress through outsourcing, shared service utilization, efficient marketing, and workforce resizing, describing its restructuring efforts as advancing responsibly.

The company’s third-quarter performance (October–December 2025) remained challenging.

Revenue fell 5% year-on-year to 2.999tr yen, and Nissan posted a net loss of 28.3bn yen, slightly better than expectations.

In regional markets, US sales declined 3.7%, while China saw a 12.7% increase, driven largely by the launch of new electric vehicle models.

Nissan has faced multiple challenges in recent years, from leadership turbulence, including the 2018 arrest and subsequent escape of former CEO Carlos Ghosn, to a failed merger attempt with Japanese rival Honda.

Nissan is among the most exposed of Japan’s automakers to US trade tensions, but restructuring efforts may provide a path to long-term stability.

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