UPDATE 5:06 P.M.: Speaking to the Associated Press this afternoon, Nissan spokesman Fred Standish said the company has 1,200 more workers than it needs at its Smyrna and Decherd plants, but will not resort to layoffs if it falls short of that target.

As orginally reported:

Citing slumping truck sales, Nissan North America is offering buyouts to employees at its Smyrna and Decherd plants, which employ a combined 6,600 people. The auto manufacturer also is eliminating its truck night shift on Aug. 11.

“The marketplace is changing and Nissan’s North American manufacturing operations must change with it to remain competitive,” said Senior VP Bill Krueger.

A call to a Nissan spokesman seeking details of the plan, including how many people the company wants to buy out, was not immediately returned. Officials this morning said they are offering workers lump-sum payments of $100,000 or $125,000, depending on their tenure with the company. The package also includes medical and car buying benefits.

The program will span three years, with benefits being trimmed at the end of an initial sign-up period Sept. 12. The company wrapped up a similar plan last year, which eliminated almost 800 positions.