Nissan to Fire 2,000 Spanish Workers

Japanese manufacturer Nissan recently announced it plans to cut its Spanish workforce by around 2,000 jobs as the company is currently experiencing decreasing demand for the vehicles built in the country. According to just-auto.com, the layoffs will affect the van and SUV assembly plant in Barcelona and its stamping facility in Montcada.

The company has already informed workers of the decision which will come into effect in September and will last until the last months of the year.

This isn't the first time when Nissan decides to cut workforce in Spain as the company announced back in February the layoff of more than 1,600 workers. That measure reduced Nissan's workforce in Spain, with output forecasts pointing to 128,000 vehicles a year, about 80 percent of Barcelona's plant capacity.

On the other hand, Nissan added new staff in the UK in July when, following a spike in demand for the models manufactured in the country.

"We are currently experiencing a short-term but significant spike in demand for Sunderland models as a result of scrappage incentive schemes. In particular, Micra and Note are proving extremely popular, and account for around two thirds of all Nissan scrappage sales across our main European markets," Trevor Mann, Nissan’s senior vice-president for manufacturing in Europe, said in July when announcing that the Japanese manufacturer will hire 100 workers in the country.

The Japanese manufacturer also announced its plans to build a battery production facility in the United Kingdom, together with its ally Renault. The factory will have an estimated annual output of 60,000 units and is expected to open its doors in 2011.