New President for Nissan

04/12/96

The wires are abuzz with news about Nissan's new president, Yoshikazu Hanawa, the business man with sharks' teeth who wants to re-make Nissan as a lean, mean, money-making machine capable of competing fiercely in today's tough auto market.

Hanawa is currently executive vice president in charge of development and design of Nissan's vehicles. He also has extensive experience as head of overseas business and planning. The current president, Yoshifumi Tsuji, will become the company's chairman. Tsuji said that Hanawa, who is 62, was appointed president to bring younger blood and vigor to the company's top management.

The Japanese press reported that Hanawa's appointment was aimed at confronting the major business challenge that confronts the company: overhauling their North American/overseas operations. The company has been suffering losses in Mexico and Europe, and is considered to be behind it's competitors in the burgeoning Asian market.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel