One reason behind the Audi-centric shake-up of Volkswagen group management this week was the impending move of the premium German brand’s American chief to head Nissan Motor’s Infiniti, now based in Hong Kong.
Johan de Nysschen, currently president of Audi of America, has been named Nissan’s senior vice president in charge of the Infiniti division and joins the automaker on 1 July.
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De Nysschen will report to Andy Palmer, Nissan’s top EVP of product planning, business strategy, marketing communications and Infiniti division and will work at the division’s new global headquarters opened officially on 22 May.
“We have exciting and ambitious plans for improving the Infiniti brand including introducing new models in all markets where premium customer demand exists,” said Palmer. “De Nysschen is a highly successful global luxury automotive executive and his leadership will be a key factor in realising the potential of the brand.”
De Nysschen was with Audi for 19 years and worked in South Africa and Japan before heading American operations. He previously worked for BMW in South Africa.
