Nissan has announced plans to cut 11,000 more jobs and close seven factories worldwide, intensifying a cost-cutting programme driven by falling global demand, rising competition, and weak performance in key markets, including China and the US. The move brings total layoffs over the past year to around 20,000, roughly 15% of the company’s workforce.

The Japanese carmaker has faced sustained pressure from sliding sales in China, where local electric vehicle brands like BYD have surged, and from margin-eroding discounting in the US. Last year’s failed merger talks with Honda and Mitsubishi, which aimed to create a $60 billion global automotive player, further stalled recovery efforts.

Roughly two-thirds of the new redundancies will affect manufacturing roles, with the rest spread across admin, sales, R&D, and contracted staff. Details on which locations will be impacted, including Nissan’s Sunderland facility, which is home to around 6,000 jobs, have not yet been disclosed.

These cuts follow a previous round of 9,000 layoffs announced in November as part of a broader initiative to reduce production capacity by 20% globally. Nissan has also cancelled plans to build a new EV and battery plant in Japan, signalling a pullback on capital investment.

Nissan’s annual financials revealed a loss of ¥ $670 billion ($4.5 billion), citing ongoing uncertainty around US tariffs and rising operational costs. No income forecast was issued for the current year. Despite a slight increase in US retail sales, global demand remains soft. Sales dropped 12% in China and declined across Japan and Europe.

An upgrade to the rail link between Huddersfield and Sheffield has entered its next phase as Kirklees Council secures £1.5 million in initial funding to develop a business case for the project. The investment is part of a larger £48 million initiative supported by the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The scheme aims to reduce journey times to under an hour and increase train frequency, benefiting regional connectivity and supporting economic development. The improvements will affect key rail services and stations along the Penistone Line, including Lockwood, Berry Brow, Honley, Brockholes, Shepley, Stocksmoor, and Denby Dale.

The project is being advanced in partnership with Barnsley and Sheffield councils, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and local MPs. It complements broader investment in the Trans-Pennine route, focusing on strengthening infrastructure and enhancing transport efficiency for businesses and communities across northern England.

AI and machine learning company IntelliAM, based in Sheffield, reported a 39% rise in total pro-forma revenue to approximately £3.9 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2025, up from £2.8 million the previous year. The growth was attributed to increasing traction in the manufacturing sector, where its software is now deployed across more than 60 enterprise sites.

The company’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) rose sharply in the second half of the year, growing from £149,000 in September 2024 to over £800,000 by March 2025, a jump of over 400%. This reflects a transition toward more sustainable, contract-based income.

IntelliAM, which processes data from existing machinery and systems to provide manufacturers with AI-driven operational insights, reported a year-end cash position of around £1.97 million. The business said it would use this to fund continued investment in product development and customer support.

The firm anticipates ARR growth to exceed 250% in the current financial year as more clients progress to advanced stages of platform adoption. IntelliAM’s technology enhances asset efficiency, reliability, supply chain visibility, and sustainability in industrial operations.