Nissan looks to be facing a deepening problem in the
US. Reuters sources say it cut output by a
third at its top Japanese plant this month as it
struggles with demand among other things that will slash production
of its rogue crossover. The sources say it will
now make around 10,000 of the cars for export or
about half what it had previously planned. There was
no comment from the company but the report comes just
days after Nissan said its profits were almost completely wiped
out over the April to June quarter. It's been
forced to do big discounts to win sales in the
US amid criticism over an aging line up of models
and weak demand for its electric cars. The company
also doesn't offer hybrids in the American market meaning it's
missing out on the boom for such vehicles. Nissan
has promised a wave of new model launches. Analysts
say its target of boosting sales by 1 million cars
per year looks in doubt separately. Monday media reports
said Mitsubishi Motors is in talks to join Nissan's alliance
with local rival, Honda. Analysts say that underscores
the pressure on automakers to work together to develop zero
emission vehicles and other technologies. A three way alliance
would range Nissan's team against that led by Toyota,
which partners with Suzuki Subaru and Mazda. There was
no immediate comment from any of the companies involved.