Nissan North America Announces Leadership Changes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan North America has announced leadership changes across its Manufacturing and Research and Development organizations.

Kevin Hines, currently senior director, Smyrna Plant Support, is promoted to vice president, Production Engineering and New Model Quality. In his new role, Hines will be responsible for ensuring the highest level of vehicle quality for Nissan's U.S. manufacturing operations. Further, in support of the company's long-term vision, Ambition 2030, Hines will manage the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies and drive process improvement and development of new technologies to support the transformation of the manufacturing process as the company moves to introduce more electric vehicles into its lineup. He will report to David Johnson, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, North America, and be based in Smyrna.

In Research and Development (R&D), Kiichi Namba, currently general manager, Interior/Exterior Technology, is named vice president, R&D, Vehicle Program Engineering, Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA). In his new role, Namba-san will have responsibility for Vehicle Program Management, Interior & Exterior Engineering, Body Systems Engineering and Quality Engineering.

Kevin Hines (left), Kiichi Namba (middle), and John Schnoes (right)

John Schnoes, currently division general manager, Connected Car & Services, at Nissan's global headquarters in Japan, will return to the Americas R&D organization as vice president, Connected Services Engineering. Schnoes will leverage his global experience to strengthen and expand the regional connected engineering team supporting the execution of connected business innovations.

Namba-san and Schnoes will report to Chris Reed, regional senior vice president, Research and Development, Americas, and be based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

All appointments are effective April 1, 2024.

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