Nissan Introduces New Structure in The Americas

FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 27 -- As Nissan enters its 2009 fiscal year, the company has introduced a new management and operational structure for the Americas designed to capitalize on synergies across the region while focusing on individual market and consumer needs.

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the newly reconfigured Management Committee-Americas, described the integrated plan for growth in the region as a renewed commitment to delighting customers with innovative ideas for the joy of everyday driving.

The company has strategically consolidated its operations across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean to leverage the collective expertise of this diverse economic zone. The Management Committee-Americas is now a streamlined group of executives making strategic decisions for the region.

In addition, two new operations committees have been established for North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Each is charged with tactical, market- and performance-focused decisions aligned with the overall regional strategy. This new organizational design will drive future growth in the region.

Manufacturing, purchasing, supply-chain management and logistics will be tightly allied, because their functions are similar throughout the region. Sales, marketing and support operations will be managed more locally, since they need to respond to local-market needs.

"With steady improvements in quality and reliability of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles over the past years, we are now on fertile ground to grow our presence in the region," Tavares said. "We are taking a holistic approach to unlock new synergies in the region and to shift the Americas to zero-emission mobility."

Nissan will launch a battery electric vehicle in the United States and Japan in 2010. Two years later, Nissan EVs will be made available to the mass market globally.

At the start of fiscal year 2009, four zero-emission partnerships in the Americas had been announced by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, including Tucson and Phoenix Ariz.; Sonoma County, Calif.; the State of Oregon; the State of Tennessee and San Diego Gas & Electric Co.. Most recently, Nissan has been reaching out to other potential partners through a tour of the United States with an electric test vehicle.

First-hand input from customers, retailers and, particularly, employees across the region will drive the plan for growth in the Americas. In the first 100 days from his appointment on Feb. 9, Tavares will visit operations in the region to learn about challenges and opportunities.

"We are selling outstanding products for the Americas built in the Americas by some of the most skilled people in the industry," Tavares said.

"We recognize that we are competing under very difficult conditions. Our focus is to delight our customers by supporting our people on the front line. We call it the reverse pyramid concept," he added. "What we learn from these visits will help us prioritize our next steps, especially on the cusp of our first electric vehicle launch next year."