(Reuters) - Japan's No. 2 automaker Nissan Motor Co (T:7201) said on Thursday its U.S. unit would halt operations for two days next month, as the company tries to reverse a slide in profitability in the country.
The company has been trying to cut costs after its profit plunged this fiscal year, hit by a stronger yen and falling sales in China and the United States. It was even forced to slash its forecast for operating income to an 11-year low.
"To optimize business performance and competitiveness, Nissan North America will implement two office closure days in the U.S. on January 2 and January 3, 2020," Nissan said in a statement.
The closure, however, would not affect dealers including those of its Infiniti brand, the company said.
Automotive News had earlier reported https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/nissan-orders-two-day-furlough-us-employees-amid-falling-sales that Nissan was putting the entire U.S. organization on two days of unpaid furlough next month and cutting employee travel expenses by half, effective immediately, citing a memo to employees.
The closure will affect the company's headquarters in suburban Nashville and assembly plants in Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi, the report said.
