After a failed Honda merger and poor sales, Nissan shakes up leadership, as CEO Uchida departs. CPO Ivan Espinosa is set to step in as the new CEO to drive recovery.
Nissan Motor Co. has announced the departure of CEO Makoto Uchida, effective April 1, 2025, as part of a significant leadership overhaul to secure the company’s long-term growth. Its Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa will succeed Uchida, taking on the role of president and CEO from the beginning of next month.
Uchida’s exit, alongside the departure of four other senior executives, comes after a challenging period for Nissan. The company has faced several setbacks, including a failed merger attempt with Honda which was supposed to boost electric vehicles (EVs), ongoing profit declines, and disappointing global sales.
These struggles have resulted in significant cost-cutting measures, including a reduction of 9000 jobs. The leadership change follows reports of a management shake-up within the company.
Yasushi Kimura, independent director and chair of Nissan’s board, explained that changing the management team was necessary due to the broader challenges in the automotive industry and the company’s underperformance. He added that Espinosa, who has been with Nissan for over 20 years, is well-qualified to lead the company through its ongoing transformation.
Espinosa, who has held various positions within Nissan, has extensive global experience, including in Mexico. Kimura expressed confidence in his ability to drive Nissan’s recovery and future development, citing his passion for the company and his experience in product planning.
Uchida, while stepping down from his CEO role, will remain on Nissan’s board until the company’s general shareholders’ meeting in June.
