Nissan’s rapid decline has drawn the attention of one of the most influential activist investors in Japan, adding a fresh dose of uncertainty to the automaker’s turnaround plans.
A fund controlled by Effissimo Capital Management, which has a history of pushing for change in Japan, has taken a stake in Nissan just days after cratering profit and sales induced by an outdated lineup, pricey dealer incentives and lack of hybrids in North America forced the Japanese carmaker to slash jobs and production.
The big question is whether CEO Makoto Uchida, who pledged to add 27 new electrified vehicles by 2030, can deliver a turnaround or be forced to make more drastic changes by an influential outsider.