Nissan Announces Leadership Transition to Accelerate Transformation in AMIEO Region

Effective October 1, 2025, Massimiliano (Max) Messina will assume the position of Chairperson for Nissan's AMIEO region. Messina, who is currently the Vice Chairperson and Senior Vice President of Finance, Administration, and Strategy for the region, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Nissan, which began in 2022. His extensive background in global and international roles across the automotive, retail, and industrial manufacturing sectors underscores his capability to lead the region's diverse operations, which span three continents, 140 countries, and include five manufacturing plants, 13,000 employees, and 26 models.

Messina's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Nissan prepares to introduce four new electric vehicles to the European market. This follows the successful launches of models like the Patrol and Magnite in the Middle East and Africa, signaling a robust product pipeline aimed at enhancing Nissan's competitive edge. Messina expressed his commitment to the role, stating, "I’m honoured to take on this responsibility at such a critical moment for Nissan. I’m proud to lead a team that is working tirelessly to both transform our company and deliver fantastic vehicles to our customers across the AMIEO region."

The leadership transition will also see Victorino (Vito) Esnaola stepping into the role of Senior Vice President of Finance & IT for the AMIEO region. Esnaola, who joined Nissan in 2015, has held various roles, including Finance Director for NMISA in Spain and Finance Vice President for Europe. His progression to a global role in 2024 as Finance Divisional General Manager has prepared him for this pivotal position, where he will report directly to Messina. Esnaola's experience is expected to contribute significantly to the region's financial strategies and IT developments.

These appointments are part of a broader strategy under the Re:Nissan recovery plan, which aims to return the company to profitability and achieve positive free cash flow in its automotive business by fiscal 2026. The plan includes decisive actions to streamline decision-making processes and enhance performance across the AMIEO region, ensuring alignment with global objectives. Guillaume Cartier, Nissan Chief Performance Officer and outgoing Chairperson of the AMIEO region, emphasized the importance of these leadership changes, noting, "Max’s leadership and operational expertise will be vital to Nissan as we accelerate transformation across the business."

As Nissan navigates this transition, the focus remains on innovation and efficiency. The strategic leadership changes are expected to foster a dynamic and responsive organizational culture, pivotal for tackling the challenges and opportunities within the rapidly evolving automotive industry. With its eye on future growth, Nissan is poised to strengthen its presence and performance across the AMIEO region, leveraging its leadership team’s expertise to drive the company's transformation forward.