According to a source familiar with the matter, Nissan will cut production of its top-selling U.S. vehicle, the Rogue SUV, at its Kyushu, Japan plant between May and July in response to President Donald Trump’s new 25% import tariff on foreign-built cars.
An exclusive Reuters report noted that the production cut will reduce output by approximately 13,000 vehicles, over 20% of the 62,000 Rogues sold in the U.S. in the year’s first quarter. Workers at the Kyushu facility—Nissan’s largest—will work fewer hours during this period, with some days of halted production, though the plant will maintain its two-shift schedule.
The move underscores the immediate impact of the tariff decision on global automakers. Nissan generates over one-quarter of its total global sales from the U.S., where it manufactures many vehicles in Japan or Mexico. The Kyushu-built Rogue plays a central role in Nissan’s U.S. strategy, with nearly 246,000 units sold last year.
The automaker said in a statement that it was evaluating its production and supply chain to improve efficiency and sustainability. “Our approach will be thoughtful and deliberate as we navigate both immediate and long-term effects,” the company said.
Furthermore, the production shift follows Nissan’s recent decision to reverse a planned reduction at its Smyrna, Tennessee plant, where it had intended to cut to a single shift but instead opted to maintain two. The automaker also continues to grapple with broader challenges, including an aging vehicle lineup and a lack of hybrids, which have hurt U.S. sales performance.
Nissan had already been targeting a 20% cut in global capacity under a broader restructuring plan. New CEO Ivan Espinosa faces mounting pressure to restore U.S. profitability after the company slashed its profit forecast three times in the past fiscal year.
However, other automakers are also making adjustments. For instance, Stellantis has paused operations at plants in Mexico and Canada, affecting five U.S. sites and resulting in 900 temporary layoffs. Honda will move production of its next-generation Civic hybrid from Mexico to Indiana to mitigate tariff exposure.
