Nissan’s incoming CEO, Ivan Espinosa, is focused on accelerating decision-making to create models that truly reflect the brand and drive sales. At 46 years old, the Mexican-born executive, who has spent over 20 years at Nissan, shared in an embargoed interview that the company’s corporate culture is lacking in empathy and needs significant change.
Espinosa emphasized the importance of unity within the company, saying, “We need to work together as one single team,” during a session at Nissan’s Technical Center in Atsugi, near Tokyo. His leadership officially starts on April 1, replacing Makoto Uchida.
Espinosa faces a tough challenge, as Nissan, known for models like the Sentra sedan and Infiniti luxury cars, is still grappling with the effects of a long-running crisis that started years ago when Carlos Ghosn, sent by French partner Renault, helped rescue the company from the brink of bankruptcy.
Carlos Ghosn, who was arrested in Japan in 2018 on charges of financial misconduct, managed to escape bail and is currently in Lebanon.
Makoto Uchida, who took over as CEO in 2019 after Hiroto Saikawa resigned following his own financial scandal, stepped down after Nissan forecasted a loss for the fiscal year ending in March.
Ivan Espinosa has shown a willingness to explore partnerships, even with companies outside the automotive sector, though he didn’t provide any specific details.
Recently, Nissan ended discussions with its Japanese competitor, Honda Motor Co., about creating a joint holding company. However, both companies will continue to collaborate on technology development.
Espinosa emphasized the need for agility, announcing that new cars would be developed in 37 months, while derivative models could be ready in just 30 months. In an industry where car production—from design to product testing—usually takes several years, this timeline would be considered notably fast.
To highlight its plans for a turnaround, Nissan unveiled a range of models set to debut over the next two years in markets including the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Some of these models were presented as mockups.
Espinosa, along with other Nissan executives, promised a lineup that honors the brand’s legacy, such as the iconic Leaf electric car, while also focusing on models with higher sales potential. The company plans to introduce more eco-friendly options, including hybrids, plug-ins, and electric vehicles, along with advanced technology like self-driving cars.
When announcing Espinosa’s appointment, outgoing CEO Makoto Uchida described him as “a car guy.”
Espinosa, a fan of Nissan’s flagship Z sports car, identified himself as “a car lover.” He expressed a deep passion for the stories behind each vehicle, from its development to the bond it forms with customers.
Analysts have approached Espinosa’s appointment with caution. As an internal candidate, his leadership is seen as a continuation of Uchida’s approach, so the full impact of his strategy remains uncertain. Analysts at CreditSights noted that it’s unlikely Nissan would consider becoming a subsidiary of Honda at this stage, at least until Espinosa’s strategy is revealed and begins to take shape.