Nissan North America Announces New Sales and Marketing Leadership

    CARSON, Calif.--July 3, 2003--Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced several executive appointments, effective July 20, 2003, to maintain the momentum of Nissan and Infiniti sales and marketing gains during upcoming product launches under the NISSAN 180 plan.
    "As we continue our aggressive product launches for both the Nissan and Infiniti divisions, including our entry into the full-size truck and SUV market later this year, I'm confident that this new team will help us reach our goal of reaching one million unit sales in North America," said Jed Connelly, senior vice president, sales and marketing for NNA. "They are ready to take on their new responsibilities and I am confident they will work just as hard and remain just as focused on the core business as their predecessors."
    Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division, will assume the role of vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. McNabb succeeds Bill Kirrane, who recently announced his retirement from Nissan after 32 years of service. McNabb, who will continue to report to Connelly, will be responsible for strategic direction and planning for Nissan Division's dealers and its national and field sales organizations. McNabb will be accountable for the division's overall performance.
    Since joining Nissan in 1986, McNabb has held a number of management positions, including dealer operations manager in Boston, dealer operations manager in New Orleans, regional marketing manager for the Northeast region, manager of overseas operations for Nissan Motor Company (NML), assistant regional manager for the Northeast region and Nissan director of operations.
    Succeeding McNabb as vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division, will be Mark Igo, currently regional vice president, South Central Region. In his new role reporting to Connelly, Igo will be responsible for all sales activities within Infiniti Division, including the strategic direction and planning for dealers, national and field sales organizations.
    Since joining Nissan in 1983, Igo has held various regional and national positions, including director of vehicle operations, model line marketing manager, regional marketing manager for Nissan's Northeast region and director of Nissan marketing.
    John Spoon, director of operations, Nissan Division, will replace Igo as regional vice president, South Central Region and will report to McNabb. In his new role, Spoon will be responsible for overall operations in the South Central region, including dealer relations, sales activities and fixed operations.
    Spoon joined Nissan in 1987 as district sales manager trainee, and has several assignments in sales, marketing and operations, including a number of regional positions in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Los Angeles areas.
    Wayne Adair, currently director, Nissan marketing, replaces Spoon as director, Nissan operations, reporting to McNabb. In this position, Adair will be responsible for coordinating all day-to-day Nissan business activities that relate to the regions and their liaison with national headquarters.
    Since joining Nissan in 1984, Adair has held several positions within regional and national operations, including sedan model line manager, dealer operations manager, regional marketing manager, market representation, business management, fleet, vehicle merchandising as well as experience in the sales and parts division.
    Fred Suckow, senior manager, model line, will be promoted to director, Nissan marketing, succeeding Adair. In his new position, Suckow will manage all Nissan marketing activities for sedans, trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans. He will report to Steve Wilhite, vice president, marketing, NNA.
    Suckow joined Nissan in 1985 and has held a variety of positions within the company, including advertising manager, dealer operations manager and dealer relations manager. Most recently, Suckow was responsible for all model line marketing activities for the Nissan Frontier pickup truck, 350Z sports car, the redesigned Quest minivan that arrives in dealerships this month, and the all-new Titan full-size truck which will be launched later this year.
    In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.