AutoReporter

Nissan was one of the few automakers to thrive during $4 gas, but the subsequent economic downturn has taken its toll on the Japanese automaker. Nissan announced on Tuesday that worsening financial conditions have forced the company to restructure its North American operations.

The first part of the plan will see Nissan North America altering its sales and marketing operations. In order “to be better positioned to serve dealers and consumers”, Nissan will be closing the doors of four regional sales offices, leaving the automaker with seven regional sales offices and 23 satellite offices. The four offices slated to be closed are located in Herndon, Va., Pleasanton, Calif., Aurora, Ill. and Atlanta, Ga.

Nissan Design America will also be integrating its operations into its San Diego studio beginning April 1st. That means that Nissan will no longer be using its Farmington Hills, Michigan facility for vehicle design, although operations at the company’s Nissan Technical Center North America will continue unchanged. Some employees at the NDA facility in Michigan will be transferred to the San Diego office.

In all, the changes will result in about 110 job cuts. Nissan hopes to reach that target though voluntary programs, but hasn’t ruled involuntary measures.

Additionally, Nissan announced the creation of a dedicated electric vehicle project team.



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