Nissan follows Toyota and Ford in stepping back from progressive corporate policies.
Nissan is reportedly scaling back several DEI initiatives, including contentious hiring practices and corporate sponsorship of certain Pride events.
Robby Starbuck, an activist opposed to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the workplace, announced Nissan’s decision on Wednesday. He claimed the company agreed to these changes after he notified them of his efforts to expose perceived “wokeness” within the organization.
“Instead, we had constructive discussions on how to resolve this,” Starbuck wrote.
Nissan executives collaborated with Starbuck to implement various reforms, including ending diversity-based hiring practices and making DEI or LGBTQ training voluntary for employees.
“No quotas for hiring, promotions, or diverse suppliers. The focus is now on merit and performance,” he wrote.
“You didn’t think I was going to let Christmas pass without giving @X the gift of another company changing woke policies, did you?” he added.
Nissan also agreed to review future corporate sponsorships to ensure they align with brand standards and business priorities, according to Starbuck.
“This means no more funding for Pride events that expose children to sexually inappropriate content, like the San Francisco Pride event they recently sponsored,” he said.
Starbuck also revealed that Nissan plans to withdraw from the Human Rights Campaign’s “woke Corporate Equality Index” and will not participate in any third-party surveys with a political activism focus.
“This won’t just create a positive, neutral workplace for employees, free from divisive issues, but will also influence many suppliers to drop woke policies,” he wrote on X.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Nissan vice president of communications Brian Brockman said the company is “for everyone” and confirmed prior discussions with Starbuck.
“Whether with employees, customers, business partners, or communities, we believe Nissan is a company for everyone,” he said. “For nearly four decades, our commitment to respect and inclusion has been part of our core values, fostering an environment where team members can contribute and helping drive business success.”
Nissan follows a growing trend among corporations that have rolled back DEI policies after facing backlash. Recently, American Airlines agreed to end DEI hiring and employment practices following a federal complaint accusing the airline of discrimination. Walmart also agreed to changes in its DEI policies after Starbuck threatened to report on the company’s “wokeness.”
Earlier this year, Toyota announced plans to reduce involvement in DEI and pro-LGBTQ events after facing online criticism. The company told U.S. employees it would narrow its community activities to focus on STEM education and workforce readiness, discontinuing participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
In a similar move, Ford Motor Company confirmed in August it would distance itself from woke policies, following a letter from CEO Jim Farley.
