Nissan Motor Co. has announced that Makoto Uchida will be stepping down from his role as CEO, following a difficult period for the company, which was marked by underwhelming financial results.
The Japanese company announced a comprehensive restructuring of its senior management team, marking a significant shift in leadership to steer the company towards achieving its short- and mid-term objectives, while laying a solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth.
In a pivotal move, Ivan Espinosa, currently serving as the company’s Chief Planning Officer, has been appointed as Representative Executive Officer, President, and CEO, succeeding Makoto Uchida. This leadership change signals Nissan’s commitment to strengthening its management structure, with Espinosa poised to lead the company in its strategic transformation as it navigates an increasingly competitive automotive landscape.
Executive Committee Changes, Key Appointments
Effective April 1, a new Executive Committee will report directly to Espinosa, reflecting the company’s drive to enhance its performance across key business areas:
- Guillaume Cartier, who currently serves as Chief Performance Officer and Chairperson of the Management Committee for AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania), will have an expanded role. Cartier will now also oversee Global Marketing and Customer Experience, areas critical to Nissan's ongoing efforts to strengthen its brand and connect with customers in a fast-evolving market.
- Eiichi Akashi, currently Corporate Vice President (CVP) of the Vehicle Planning and Vehicle Component Engineering Division, will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer and Executive Officer. He will succeed Kunio Nakaguro, and will focus on Nissan's technology leadership, positioning the company for future innovation in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and connected technology.
- Teiji Hirata, presently CVP of the Vehicle Production Engineering and Development Division, will assume the role of Chief Monozukuri Officer and Executive Officer, with responsibility for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management. Hirata will succeed Hideyuki Sakamoto, furthering Nissan's commitment to manufacturing excellence and operational efficiency.
- Jeremie Papin, Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as Executive Officer, consolidating Nissan's focus on financial stability and growth in the wake of its leadership changes.
Additionally, key figures within Nissan's leadership team will retain or expand their roles:
- Stephen Ma, Chairperson of the Management Committee for China, continues in his current role, reflecting Nissan’s continued strategic focus on the Chinese market.
- Mitsuro Antoku, Chief Quality Officer, and Toru Ihara, Chief HR Officer, will also continue in their positions, ensuring continuity in Nissan's commitment to quality and human resource development.
Other Key Management Appointments
Nissan has also made strategic appointments to further strengthen its leadership team:
- Shohei Yamazaki, Chairperson of the Management Committee for Japan-ASEAN, will have an expanded role that now includes overseeing affiliate companies, enhancing Nissan's operational integration across regions.
- Christian Meunier, Chairperson of the Management Committee for the Americas, will continue to lead Nissan's North American operations, with a strong focus on growth in the region.
- Tatsuzo Tomita, CVP of Product Development No. 2, will take on Akashi’s responsibilities in R&D and will also lead Total Delivered Cost (TdC) Transformation, ensuring Nissan’s cost-efficiency and innovation in product development.
- Manabu Sakane, CVP of Purchasing, will become Chief of Strategy Acceleration, reporting directly to Espinosa. This role will focus on driving Nissan's strategic initiatives, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to agility and market responsiveness.
Executives Stepping Down
As part of the leadership restructuring, several executives will step down from their current roles as of March 31:
- Asako Hoshino, Chief Brand & Customer Officer
- Hideaki Watanabe, Chief Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer
Looking ahead, the company’s new leadership structure and strategic focus aim to provide with enhanced agility, operational excellence, and innovation. As it transitions to a more dynamic, tech-driven future, these changes are expected to position Nissan for long-term growth in an increasingly competitive and evolving global automotive market.
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