Nissan to Collaborate with Foxconn on Electric Vehicle Production at Oppama Factory
In a significant development, Nissan has reportedly discussed a potential collaboration with Foxconn on producing electric vehicles at its Oppama factory in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The partnership aims to avoid the closure of the factory by exploring options for creating a new joint venture.
According to industry insiders, the Oppama factory, which first started production in 1961, has struggled with low utilization rates, with only 40% of its year-end capacity used in 2024. This is significantly lower than Nissan's goal of achieving an optimal balance between revenue and costs, which is around 80%.
Nissan had earlier announced its "Re:Nissan" revival plan, aimed at streamlining the company's global vehicle production portfolio from 17 to 10 sites. The company also plans to reduce global production capacity by approximately $5 billion (¥500 billion) compared to its current level.
A successful collaboration between Nissan and Foxconn would likely mitigate concerns about the Oppama factory's closure. While the details of the partnership are still unclear, it appears that both companies are working together to explore opportunities for joint ventures in the future.
Separately, Foxconn is reportedly planning to introduce a new electric vehicle model, C, in the North American market by 2027. The Model C is expected to be a compact SUV with a range of features and specs.
The electric vehicle is said to have an aerodynamic coefficient (Cd) of 0.27, making it one of the most efficient configurations currently available. With four-wheel drive, it boasts impressive performance figures, including 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.8 seconds and a maximum range of up to 700 kilometers.
When released in Taiwan under the guise "Naga Smart n7," the vehicle is expected to be relatively priced, coming close to the $23,000 mark local currency of Taiwan (New Taiwanese Dollar).
Please note: This information may not reflect official announcements.
