9:56 am, April 16, 2019
KALYANA Sivagnanam has been appointed managing director of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd.
Moving back to the UK from his previous role as Nissan’s regional vice-president for sales and marketing in Africa, the Middle East and India, he started his new role at the brand’s Maple Cross head office yesterday, replacing interim MD Andrew Sellars.
Alex Smith, who took up the post at Nissan in September 2016, left at the beginning of this year to rejoin Volkswagen as its MD.
Ken Ramirez, senior vice-president for sales and marketing in Nissan Europe, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Kalyana to Nissan Motor (GB).
‘His extensive experience, both within Nissan and the wider automotive industry, will be a tremendous asset as we accelerate plans to electrify our European product range and rapidly evolve our business in the years ahead.
‘I would also like to thank Andrew Sellars, NMGB sales director, for taking on the additional role of interim MD during the last quarter. His valued contribution and support have enabled a successful transition for our business as we closed the fiscal year.’
Sivagnanam, who has 14 years’ previous experience of working in the UK, said: ‘It’s a great time to be joining Nissan in Europe, thanks to established leadership in the crossover segments, exciting new model launches to come, and a clearly defined vision that will meet the needs of future customers, while delivering a profitable return for our UK dealer network.’
In a statement, the company said: ‘The appointment comes as the European automotive industry embarks on a period of unprecedented change. Three key trends – electrification, connectivity and autonomous technologies – are set to deliver new opportunities for Nissan dealers, while transforming the way customers interact with their cars.’
Nissan plans to electrify 42 per cent of its range – almost double the forecast industry average – over the next three years, as part of its Move To 2022 strategy, with the launch of new vehicles powered by a suite of new powertrains including e-power and fully electric models. It already produces the Leaf and e-NV200 electric vehicles.
