French are Running Nissan Americas and in Japan

Christian Meunier has been named chairman, Nissan Americas, effective 1 January 2025. He replaces Jérémie Papin who has been appointed chief financial officer (CFO), Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. As chairman for Nissan Americas, Meunier will lead operations and strategy across all of North and South America as part of the company’s global business plan, The Arc. He will report to Guillaume Cartier, chief performance officer (CPO), Nissan Motor Co, Ltd. It’s the latest move at the struggling automaker whose, well, Arc is sinking.*

At the beginning of November Nissan Motor Company in Japan announced weak financial results for the six-months ended 30 September 2024. Net revenue decreased by ¥79.1 billion year-over-year (YOY) to ¥5.98 trillion yen, with consolidated operating profit decreasing ¥303.8 billion to ¥32.9B. This was a paltry operating profit margin of 0.5%. Net income was ¥19.2 billion. Global sales volumes decreased year-on-year to 1.6 million units. As a consequence Nissan revised its full year financial outlook for fiscal year 2024. The dividend was cancelled.

It also announced a senior leadership appointment effective 1 December 2024. Guillaume Cartier, chairperson, Management Committee for AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania), will assume an expanded role as chief performance officer (CPO). Cartier will oversee the Japan/ASEAN, AMIEO, and Americas regions, as well as Global Sales and Aftersales. He is responsible for sales and profit.

At that time the “Alliance” also said it selling 149,028,300 shares of Mitsubishi, which will reduce Nissan’s stake in Mitsubishi from 34.07%. It could be the beginning of the end of alliances within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance or the complete demise of the Alliance.

Meunier’s background indicates to AutoInformed that there is little Japanese remaining in what was once billed as the Renault Nissan Alliance headed by Carlos Ghosn. Meunier holds a master’s degree from École des Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord (EDHEC) Business School in France. He is a dual citizen of France and the United States.

Meunier will be based at Nissan Americas Headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee.

“This marks a return to Nissan for Meunier, who held leadership roles throughout the company’s global organization, including several top positions in the Americas. Within the region, he was senior vice president of Sales and Marketing and Operations, Nissan North America; chairman, Nissan Canada; and president, Nissan Brazil,” Nissan said in a release.

*AutoInformed on

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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