Palmer Dumps Nissan for Aston Martin

Aston Martin Lagonda says that Andrew Palmer is its new Chief Executive Officer. Palmer, 51, will join Aston Martin from Nissan Motor Corporation where he served as Chief Planning Officer. Palmer will assume operational responsibility for all aspects of the business.

Palmer is a British-born engineer with 35 years of automotive industry experience. Palmer was Chief Planning Officer, Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee of Nissan Motor Company reporting directly to the President and CEO. His new responsibilities included Corporate and Product Planning, Program Management, Electric Vehicles, Global Marketing Communications, Global Sales and IS/IT. Palmer also served as Chairman of Infiniti.

“Palmer’s duties at Aston Martin will commence after he completes a transition period from his current employer,” Aston said in a statement.

Palmer started his professional career in 1979 at 16, as an apprentice at Automotive Products Limited (UK). In 1986 he joined Austin Rover to become, eventually, Transmissions Chief Engineer of Rover Group. Palmer joined Nissan in 1991. He was based in Japan for the past 13 years, an important market for super cars.

A statement from Aston Martin said (yawn), “We’re delighted that Andy will join us as our new CEO at this important time at Aston Martin. Andy’s wealth of experience on the global automotive stage in marketing and sales, engineering and technology, and luxury and brand management will be instrumental in taking Aston Martin forward through its most significant and ambitious period of investment to date.”