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Nissan to Close San Diego and São Paulo Design Studios by March 2026, Centralizing Design in Five Hubs

Nissan says the shift will accelerate design cycles to support a turnaround after a ¥670.9 billion loss.

Overview

  • The company confirmed its San Diego, California, and São Paulo, Brazil, design studios will shut by March 2026 with work moved to other sites.
  • Design will be consolidated into five centers: the Global Design Center and Creative Box in Japan, Studio Six in Los Angeles, Nissan Design Europe in London, and Nissan Design China in Shanghai.
  • Operations in Japan and London will be downsized, and Nissan has not disclosed how many jobs will be affected.
  • Executives cite higher productivity in Shanghai, where teams reportedly complete designs with 30% to 40% fewer hours than other studios.
  • The move forms part of the Re:Nissan restructuring targeting roughly ¥500 billion in savings, a reduction of factories from 17 to 10 by fiscal 2027, and about a 15% global headcount cut, alongside efforts to shorten vehicle development timelines.