Nissan & Foxconn Set to Collaborate on EV Production in Japan – Report

Nissan is reportedly holding talks with Taiwan’s Foxconn to start EV production at its Oppama plant in Japan.

Talks between Nissan and Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn continue, this time revolving around the possibility of an EV production at one of Nissan’s facilities in Japan. As reported by Nikkei Asia, these new discussions are said to revolve around Nissan’s Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Japan, which is likely to be shut down as part of the major restructuring plan by its new CEO, Ivan Espinosa.

This potential partnership could theoretically provide a saving grace to the Oppama facility, where it could result in the plant being handed over to Foxconn and even a new joint venture between the Yokohama-based automaker and the tech giant.

In addition to this, an insider source also told Nikkei Asia that Foxconn is not the only entity Nissan held talks with, as the automaker has multiple potential partners lined up to share its ambitious restructuring plan with. That being said, Nissan has yet to provide any official statements or rebuttals to this development, at least for now.

The Oppama plant has been put under fire since Espinosa announced its radical restructuring plans, which include closing seven of Nissan’s 17 facilities around the world while at the same time reducing its workforce by 15%.

Nissan Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Japan

Beginning operation back in 1961, the Oppama plant employs around 3,900 workers who are in charge of producing Nissan models like the Leaf EV and Note e-Power. With a 1.669 million square-metre area, the plant also houses a dedicated research centre and a 4-km test course that acts as a proving ground for many Nissan models.

Foxconn's Foxtron Model B EV hatch

This revelation is not the first time Nissan has been pitted alongside Foxconn, with the Taiwanese firm previously rumoured to be the potential partner to the automaker following failed merger talks with Honda. Besides Nissan, Foxconn was also reportedly in talks with Mitsubishi to develop a new EV lineup for the three-diamond marque.

Nissan-Dongfeng N7 EV saloon in China

In separate news, Nissan is also planning to export some of its China-made and-developed models to overseas markets, including Southeast Asia. Among the China-only models set to go global are the N7 EV sedan and potentially several other models built on the new dedicated new energy platform co-developed with China’s Dongfeng.