Earlier this year, in a desperate financial situation, Nissan announced it would close seven of its 17 factories around the world. Among the facilities on the chopping block was the Oppama plant, founded in 1961 and long considered the “mother” plant of Nissan for steering the company’s ascendance during the post-war and Bubble Economy years. To save it, Nissan is now considering a deal with Foxconn to let the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer build EVs there.
The Oppama plant was the first full-scale auto manufacturing plant in Japan. Among the many models built there were the Cedric, Bluebird, Primera, Cefiro, March, Cube, and Z33 Fairlady Z. It was also home to the Oppama R&D facility, which birthed Nissan’s motorsports division when it created the Sakura-go and Fuji-go cars to compete in the Mobilgas Australia Rally. Currently it builds the Note hybrid, but is operating at a loss.
We’ll delve more into the history of Oppama because it’s quite interesting but for now, as reported by Nikkei Asia, Nissan is in negotiations with Foxconn to allow the electronics giant to build an EV at Oppama. If greenlit, the move would help tip production closer to operating capacity.
Oppama employs 3900 people in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture directly, but numerous small businesses in town depend on the factory. “As long as they are making cars here, we’re okay. But if that stops, my company will shut down,” trucking company employee Kunito Watanabe told Reuters. He also said several supermarkets and a major bank shuttered operations in the area already.
Yokosuka, home to a major US military base, was known as one of the motor cities of Japan. “As Nissan grew and developed, the surrounding area developed as well,” Yokosuka city official Kenji Muramatsu recounted to Reuters. “The entire town was essentially built around the Oppama factory.” Yokosuka was once home to a Toyota subsidiary Kanto Auto Works factory and a second Nissan plant, but those closed in 2000 and 2010, respectively.
Reuters interviewed a 72-year-old owner of a bar near Oppama, Akio Kamataki. “The Oppama factory is a source of pride [for locals],” he told the outlet. “I still buy Nissan cars.”
UPDATE: Two hours ago Nikkei Asia reported that production of the the Kicks compact crossover would be moved to Oppama in late 2025 in order to increase production rate.
Interesting to see Nissan exploring a deal with Foxconn—feels like a bold move to keep their heritage alive at Oppama. Hoping it leads to something meaningful for both innovation and tradition.