Tag: business

Nissan Announces Senior Management Appointments

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the appointment of a new leadership team, effective January 1, 2025. Nissan is carrying out its recently announced turnaround actions, designed to restructure the company’s operations for enhanced efficiency and resilience. As part of these actions, the appointments are aimed to respond quickly to current issues, restructuring the management following the appointment of a chief performance officer (CPO) effective December 1. In April 2025, Nissan will make further changes to management to create a lean, flat structure that can respond flexibly and quickly to changes in the business environment.

Stephen Ma, currently chief financial officer (CFO), is appointed as chairperson of the Management Committee for China. He will continue to report to Makoto Uchida, chief executive officer (CEO). With extensive experience and knowledge of China, along with his global leadership background, Ma will focus on shaping the future strategy for the region and enhancing local operations.

Jeremie Papin, currently chairperson of the Management Committee for Americas, is appointed as CFO. In this role, he will report to CEO Uchida. Prior to his current role, Papin amassed many years of experience in finance, strategy, and business development within Nissan and the Alliance. Papin also worked more than 10 years in investment banking focusing on the automotive sector.

Christian Meunier joins Nissan and is appointed as chairperson of the Management Committee for Americas. He will report to Guillaume Cartier, chief performance officer (CPO). Most recently, he served as the CEO for Jeep and was a member of the Executive Committee at Stellantis. Meunier returns to Nissan with a wealth of marketing and sales experience from his previous leadership roles in Nissan US, Canada, Brazil, and global INFINITI.

Asako Hoshino, currently serving as Chief Brand & Customer Officer (CBCO) and Chairperson of the Management Committee for Japan/ASEAN, will retire from her role overseeing Japan/ASEAN operations. She will continue in her capacity as CBCO, where she will focus on enhancing brand and customer experience. Her efforts will be instrumental in ensuring that customer engagement and satisfaction strengthen Nissan’s brand presence in the market.

Shohei Yamazaki, currently serving as chairperson of the Management Committee for China, has been appointed as chairperson of the Management Committee for Japan/ASEAN. His experience in the highly competitive China market will bring valuable insights to the Japan/ASEAN role to help further strengthen Nissan’s presence in the region. In this capacity, he will report directly to CPO Cartier.

Commenting on the changes Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida said: “These leadership appointments will bring the necessary experience and urgency to the countermeasures we are taking to get the company back on track. With the support of our leadership team, we will carefully execute our turnaround actions to secure sustainable profits while focusing on future growth.”

Your Next Uber Could Be One Of The World’s Most Luxurious Electric Cars

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This October, Uber riders in London will have the chance to experience high-end luxury and sustainability in one ride, as a fleet of ultra-luxurious Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUVs joins the Uber Green fleet for a limited time. Riders can book these cutting-edge electric vehicles via the Uber app’s Uber Green option and experience the future of zero-emission transport.

With nearly 30% of Uber’s miles in London now fully electric, the initiative supports the city’s journey toward a cleaner, greener future. To encourage more riders to go electric, Uber has launched a special competition: the rider who saves the most emissions by the end of November by taking Uber Green trips will win free Uber Green rides for a decade.

Riders will have until November 30 to rack up their electric miles. All Uber riders can track the emissions they’ve saved by taking Uber Green using the in-app Emissions Savings tool, which launched earlier this year.

Andrew Brem, General Manager for Uber UK, said: “We’re thrilled to team up with Lotus to combine cutting-edge luxury with sustainable travel. Uber drivers are already leading the way, going electric far quicker than regular motorists – making London Uber’s global capital for electrification. Now we’re excited to allow our riders to experience one of the world’s most exciting electric cars.”

Conor Horne, Commercial Director of UK and Ireland at Lotus said: ”We are incredibly excited to partner with Uber to have a fleet of our all-electric Lotus Eletre available in London via the app for passengers to experience and enjoy. We hope this initiative will not only enhance the riding experience for Uber customers but also contribute to a greener city, something we at Lotus are very passionate about.”

Uber Green, which first launched in central London in 2021, allows riders to book a zero-emissions ride for the same price as an UberX, since its launch Uber has saved 55,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in London. Drivers taking Uber Green trips also earn 10% more on those trips compared to an UberX. Uber drivers are making the switch five times quicker than regular motorists.

The Eletre, Lotus’ first all-electric Hyper-SUV, redefines the passenger experience by combining luxurious comfort with cutting-edge technology. Passengers can enjoy a spacious interior designed for relaxation, featuring premium materials and a world-class infotainment system.

Through the combination of exceptional aerodynamics, outstanding comfort, and true Lotus performance, the Eletre is the perfect option for those seeking an exceptional drive with a new luxury experience.

The cars will be licensed and managed via Otto Cars, London’s largest private hire provider. Gurinder Dhillon, Otto Cars CEO, said: “We are delighted to power-up this concept for Uber and Lotus. Let’s prove that a sustainable ride can be a thrilling experience, without the smoke.”

Kia India Surpasses 250,000 Vehicle Exports Milestone

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Kia India has announced the achievement of a significant milestone of surpassing 250,000 vehicle exports. Since 2019, the company has shipped 255,133 units internationally to over 100 markets from its Anantapur manufacturing facility. The Seltos has been the major contributor, accounting for 59% of the company’s overall overseas dispatches. Kia’s other innovations – Sonet and Carens follow in second and third places, contributing 34% and 7%, respectively.

Kia India is one of the key export hubs for the Kia corporation. However, in recent years, the company has focused more on selling its cars in the domestic markets and is now going to make 90% of products for India from this year. At present Kia India exports to over 100 international markets from its Anantapur facility. A few of the major markets for Kia India exports include South Africa, Chile, Paraguay and Latin America. Kia’s dedication to innovation and excellence has secured its place as a global leader in the automotive industry, both in India and globally.

Mr. Myung-sik Sohn, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India said, “Our dedication to quality and innovation has driven us to this milestone. The success of our Made in India vehicles internationally shows our commitment to quality. We’ve quickly become a major market for Kia Corporation and aim to maintain this momentum. While our focus is on the domestic market, we plan to keep our exports steady this year.”

Kia’s Anantapur plant, which commenced production around five years ago, has quickly become a crucial export hub within the company’s global network. The facility’s advanced production capabilities and adherence to the highest quality standards have enabled Kia to meet the demand for RVs worldwide.

BYD Rolled Off Its 7 Millionth New Energy Vehicle

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On March 25, BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, became the world’s first automaker to roll off its 7 millionth new energy vehicle, the DENZA N7, which was unveiled at its Jinan factory in China, symbolizing another groundbreaking accomplishment for the brand.

BYD reached the production of 1 millionth NEV in May 2021 and rapidly multiplied this figure threefold within 18 months, then surpassed 5 million units in merely 9 additional months. In just 7 months from this mark, BYD accelerated to the
7 million milestone, showcasing a robust end-to-end supply chain and the effect of scale. In 2023, BYD’s cumulative annual sales of NEV soared to 3.02 million units, solidifying its status as the global leader in NEV sales. A variety of models from its extensive brand portfolio consistently led sales rankings within their individual categories.

Proactively engaging with the international market, BYD quickly expanded its global footprint in 2023, witnessing a surge in overseas new energy passenger car sales that exceeded 240,000 units—a 337% year-on-year growth—making it the top Chinese exporter of NEVs in 2023. Up to now, BYD’s new energy passenger vehicles have been introduced to 64 countries and regions globally, with strategic investments in manufacturing facilities in Thailand, Brazil, Uzbekistan, and Hungary. This year, BYD also becomes the official partner of UEFA European Football Championship 2024™, showcasing its new energy vehicles on the world stage.

Looking ahead, BYD commits to broadening and deepening localization strategies for its products, technologies, and brand presence across international markets, continuing to drive the global automotive industry towards a greener era.