Nissan halts business in Russia, donates $2.75M to Ukraine

Nissan, a Japanese carmaker, has a plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, and it was announced that it would be halting its vehicle exports to the country. It is also planning to stop production at its Russian factory, and this was confirmed by the company on Monday, March 7.

According to Fox Business, along with its move to suspend its operations in Russia, Nissan will also donate €2.5 million or around $2.75 million to Ukraine. This will be for relief efforts as many Ukrainians are in dire need of assistance after their country has been mercilessly attacked by the Russian government in an attempt for invasion.

The company's donation has been broken down to €1 million going to the Red Cross, and €1.5 million to help the organization's staff in the region, and these will be spent on relocation expenses, child care assistance, and medical care.

Part of the donations is also expected to be spent on emergency lifesaving assistance and essential supplies for the people of Ukraine. Living expenses for the displaced families are also one of the priorities for the donation. Nissan is also said to be ready to donate vehicles if needed.

Nissan's employees and partners will also help the Ukrainians by sending their contributions to Nissan Cares special fund, which will, in turn, forward them to Ukraine. Donations can be in the form of cash or in-kind such as food and clothing.

"We have all been moved by the suffering of so many people and families – including members of our own Nissan family," Makoto Uchida, Nissan's chief executive officer, said in a press release. "We have created the Nissan Cares fund to stand by our employees, and to support the international efforts working around the clock to respond to this immeasurable human tragedy."

Meanwhile, with Nissan's decision to halt its operations in its St.Petersburg plant, it means the company is pausing the production of its local versions of Murano, Rogue (X-Trail), and Rogue Sport (Qashqai). The finished units here are for regional sales and imports.

Nissan is the latest multinational carmaker to cease sales and operations in Russia. It has joined the others in pausing their businesses to put pressure on Vladimir Putin and stop its invasion of Ukraine.