Infiniti Appoints New VP For Europe And Middle East Regions

ROLLE, SWITZERLAND –june 27, 2011: Infiniti has announced that Bernard Loire, will be appointed as Vice President, Infiniti Europe and Middle East, based in Rolle, Switzerland from August 1, 2011. Currently Vice President Sales Operations, Nissan Europe, Bernard replaces Jim Wright who is appointed Managing Director, Nissan Motor GB Ltd., and will report to Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President in charge of Africa, Middle East, India.

Bernard, 46, started his automotive career in 1988 with Ford France where he rose to the position of Fleet Sales Director within 11 years. In 2000 he moved to Fiat Auto SPA (Turin) with responsibility for C-Segment in Central Marketing. He joined Nissan two years later as Market Manager Sales Operations for seven markets.

In January 2005 he was made Brand Director in Portugal setting up a new company for Nissan. His next move brought him back to France as Shift-Europe Project Director to pilot the new business model for Nissan Europe across 20 markets. In March 2008 he was promoted to Managing Director Nissan Italy and developed a three-year Market Share Improvement Plan. Then in September 2009, he was appointed Vice President Sales Operations for Nissan in Europe, covering 44 markets.

Of his latest challenge, Bernard says: “Jim successfully led the launch of Infiniti across 19 European markets, now it is my job to grow the brand. We have ambitious plans to more than double our network over the next few years in readiness for a raft of new product, not least a zero emissions vehicle plus an entrant in the luxury C-segment, and to maximize our sponsorship of Red Bull Racing. As a car guy, I can’t help but be excited by joining a brand that’s so synonymous with performance.”

Jim comments: “Launching Infiniti in one of the toughest luxury car markets in the world has been a phenomenal journey. I’m grateful for the support of the strong team that Bernard will inherit, at Infiniti and across our network of business Partners within Europe and the Middle East.”

Bernard’s successor within Nissan Europe will be announced in due course.