Nissan is facing a challenging transition, with its future hanging in uncertainty. According to recent reports, CEO Makoto Uchida may step down as early as next week, prompting the board of directors to select a new leader to guide the company's recovery.
On March 6th, Nissan’s nomination committee began evaluating potential successors—a clear signal that the company is preparing for a major leadership shift.
Speculation about Uchida’s possible resignation first emerged after failed merger talks with Honda. According to Nikkei Business, these rumors not only suggest Uchida’s departure but also hint at a potential revival of discussions between the two automakers.
Reports indicate that future talks may focus on Honda investing in Nissan. However, it remains unclear whether Nissan would become a Honda subsidiary under the proposed terms.
According to Reuters, Nissan is considering several executives to replace Uchida, including Chief Financial Officer Jérémie Papin and Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa. However, no clear frontrunner has emerged, and the board appears to have decided against retaining Uchida in his current role.
Regardless of who takes over, Nissan faces an uphill battle. In recent years, declining revenue, rising costs, and intensifying competition have raised concerns about its future.
Insiders revealed last November that Nissan may only have 12 to 14 months left to remain operational. Uchida himself admitted that without external investment, the company would struggle to sustain its business.
In response, Nissan has taken aggressive measures over the past year, including layoffs, global production cuts, and ongoing efforts to attract investors and strategic partners. However, many believe that only a leader with bold ideas and a fresh strategy can pull Nissan out of its current crisis.
Source: Motor1

Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.