Nissan To Shut Oppama Plant In Japan, Shift Production To Kyushu Facility As Part Of Restructuring Plan
- By MT Bureau
- July 16, 2025
Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co., which has been undertaking significant measures to improve its financial performance and is restructuring global operations, has announced that it plans to transfer and integrate vehicle production at the Oppama Plant, located in the Oppama district, to Nissan Motor Kyushu Co., Ltd in Fukuoka Prefecture.
This move part of the ‘Re:Nissan’ recovery plan aims to reduce its global production capacity from 3.5 million units (excluding China) to 2.5 million units, while maintaining a plant utilisation rate of around 100 percent. To achieve this, the company has been considering the consolidation of production sites from 17 to 10.
Nissan Reiterates Commitment For India, Targets 200,000 Unit Sales For FY2026
The new announcement will see vehicle production shutting down at Nissan’s Oppama plant at the end of fiscal 2027. Following this, both current and future models scheduled for production at Oppama will be manufactured at Nissan Motor Kyushu.
On the other hand, facilities and functions in the district – such as the Nissan Research Center, Grandrive, the crash test facility and Oppama Wharf – will remain unaffected and continue operations as usual.
Ivan Espinosa, CEO, Nissan Motor Co, said, "Today, Nissan made a tough but necessary decision. It wasn’t easy – for me or for the company – but I believe it’s a vital step toward overcoming our current challenges and building a sustainable future. The Oppama Plant is a proud part of our history, and its legacy will endure. I want to sincerely thank our employees, the local community, and our partners who have supported this plant with dedication and heart. We will continue to operate in the Oppama area with strong support for the local community, as we carry forward the spirit of Oppama plant and work to restore Nissan’s true value."
While the company has announced the shutdown of manufacturing operations at the Oppama plant, it is still exploring a ‘wide range of options to determine the most appropriate path forward’.
The company will continue to retain employees at the plant till the end of fiscal 2027 and is looking to initiate discussions with the union on the future course of action.
Furthermore, the Japanese automaker has also announced that production of the NV200, currently consigned to the Nissan Shatai Shonan Plant, will end in fiscal year 2026. A successor to the NV200 is planned for introduction in fiscal year 2027, with further details to be shared at a later date.
With this decision, Nissan said it has concluded all vehicle production consolidation actions in Japan under the Re:Nissan plan.
JSW MG Motor India Commences Production Of MG Majestor SUV
- By MT Bureau
- May 25, 2026
JSW MG Motor India has started production of the MG Majestor, its D+ segment sport utility vehicle (SUV), at its manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat.
The SUV features a four-wheel-drive (4WD) system and triple differential locks to manage traction and control across terrain conditions. It is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine paired with an electronic drivetrain and includes advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for vehicle safety and control.
Pre-reservations for the vehicle have opened at a price of INR 41,000 on the company's website, with early customers receiving priority delivery timelines and vehicle previews.
The Halol assembly plant utilises automated manufacturing processes and quality control systems to handle the assembly of the vehicle's chassis, body panel alignment and mechanical components.
To support the vehicle rollout, the carmaker is introducing its ownership programme, which includes a 5-year unlimited-kilometre warranty package, 5-year roadside assistance service contract and 5 labour-free scheduled maintenance services.
Biju Balendran, Deputy MD, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The commencement of production of the MG Majestor marks a significant step for us as we move closer to introducing a new benchmark in the premium SUV space. With the Majestor, we are bringing together strong engineering, advanced capability and a commanding presence, aligned to the evolving expectations of customers. Built at our Halol facility with advanced processes and stringent quality systems, the Majestor is engineered to deliver high standards of durability, performance and reliability. We are confident it will resonate strongly with customers looking for both capability and refinement in their next SUV.”
Yamaha Motor Opens Robotics Business Support Division In India
- By MT Bureau
- May 22, 2026
Yamaha Motor Co, has established the Robotics Business Support Division as a dedicated sales and service facility for its robotics operations in Gurugram, Haryana.
The facility operates within Yamaha Motor India Sales (YMIS), the entity responsible for the company's motorcycle and automotive product sales in the country.
The division was created to reinforce sales and service operations for Yamaha-branded robot products, streamline internal business processes and support further investment. The facility will initially focus on surface mount technology (SMT) assembly systems and industrial robots. Over the longer term, the company plans to build the necessary technical structures to handle semiconductor back-end processing equipment.
The Gurugram facility features a dedicated showroom designed to display Yamaha Motor’s robotics technologies. This space allows clients to view products and technical solutions firsthand, helping them assess application methods for their respective production sites. Through this initiative, the company aims to increase its brand recognition and capture a larger share of the expanding Indian manufacturing and robotics automation markets.
Durr Introduces Qflex Technology For Energy-Flexible Drying
- By MT Bureau
- May 20, 2026
German automation and technology company Durr has launched Qflex, a system designed to decouple automotive drying ovens from specific heat sources. This development allows manufacturers to change energy sources, such as natural gas, electricity, or hydrogen, without requiring structural modifications to oven systems.
Durr plans to equip its oven range with centralised heating technology, focusing on two systems: EcoInCure and EcoSmartCure. The variable heating circuit enables operators to switch energy sources based on availability or cost.
The system uses a heating module that supplies heat to zones through a circuit. Operators can modify the heating module to change energy sources or integrate high-temperature storage units.
Dr. Heiko Dieter, Product Manager at Durr, said, “It is impossible for anyone to predict today what source of energy will be available in plentiful supply and at a reasonable cost tomorrow. If, for example, the gas supply is interrupted at short notice, there is a risk of costs increasing and even production being interrupted. Energy-flexible ovens guarantee an alternative supply in this case. If a source of energy is no longer economical, operators can switch to another source with minimal effort – without having to interfere with the oven’s structural fabric. Choosing a hybrid system also makes it possible to automatically switch to the cheapest energy source depending on the time of day.”
The EcoInCure oven uses a transverse design. The EcoSmartCure uses a longitudinal mode of operation with a stop-and-go principle. This allows for temperature control by heating bodies in phases, which reduces thermal stress on parts. Both systems are single-level designs intended for integration into new builds or existing plants.
The EcoSmartCure is undergoing tests for industrial use.
“The strong customer interest and two projects already underway confirm to us that we have hit the mark with this new development. Energy flexibility is no longer a distant vision. The Qflex technology in our ovens now offers a solution for responding flexibly to volatile energy markets and changing conditions in automotive production,” concluded Dr. Dieter.
Maruti Suzuki India’s 2nd Kharkhoda Manufacturing Facility Commences Production
- By MT Bureau
- May 18, 2026
Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has commenced production at its second manufacturing plant at Kharkhoda.
With this, the company has expanded its production capacity to 2.65 million units per annum across Gurugram, Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana and Hansalpur in Gujarat.
The new facility can manufacture 250,000 units, which takes the total production at Kharkhoda to 500,000 units per annum combined. It will produce the company’s popular Brezza and Victoris SUVs.
The expansion is part of Maruti Suzuki India’s expansion strategy to meet customer needs, and once fully operational the Kharkhoda facility will produce a million units per annum, making it the biggest four-wheeler manufacturing location for Suzuki globally.
For FY2027, Maruti Suzuki India aims to add 500,000 units capacity.
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