US – The OEM said that the changes, effective from September 1, will support growth which has seen its market share increase for eight of the past nine years. In fiscal year 2015, Nissan reached sales of 2m in the US, Canada and Mexico for the first time in its history, boosting market share to 9.6%.
Ted Mengiste, currently director, Light Commercial Vehicle Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America (NNA), will replace Jeff Harris as regional vice-president, East Region, Infiniti USA. Mengiste will lead marketing, market representation, personnel and operational functions. Based in Somerset, New Jersey, he will report to Randy Parker, vice-president, Infiniti Americas.
Jeff Harris will retire after 27 years with the company. He joined Infiniti as marketing manager in the Central Region prior to the launch of the brand in 1989. Harris then held various at Infiniti and Nissan, including assistant regional manager, before moving to the East Region in 2005.
Tiago Castro, currently senior manager, NNA Product Planning, will step into Mengiste’s current role and be responsible for major marketing and sales functions for commercial vehicles, including sales operations, dealer network development and marketing. Based in Franklin, New Jersey, he will report to Fred Diaz, division vice-president and general manager, Trucks and Light Commercial Vehicles, NNA.