Automotive manufacturer Nissan has appointed Jordi Vila as Nissan Africa president. He currently serves as Nissan Europe sales and marketing divisional VP.

Vila will succeed Nissan Africa president and India sales and marketing divisional VP Joni Paiva, who will return to the automotive manufacturer Renault group, Nissan said in a statement on March 22.

Vila is a Nissan veteran of 30 years, with extensive experience in sales and marketing in leading roles both at regional headquarters and markets, including, among others, Nissan Netherlands and Nissan Nordics, as well as Nissan Europe sales and network operations.

Prior to serving as Nissan Europe sales and marketing and divisional VP, he led Nissan Asia and Oceania as region sales and marketing senior VP.

Vila said he was looking forward to his new appointment.

“Africa is an important and strategic market for Nissan and presents many opportunities in the years to come. We have a strong local presence and I’m sure we will continue to harness that expertise to deliver exceptional products and services for our African customers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Paiva praised Nissan Africa's management for their skilful handling of different challenges across the continent in the past year.

The continent holds a very special place in his heart and in Nissan’s strategies as it was the world’s last great automotive frontier, he said.

“Nissan Africa is now well positioned with a solid organisation and a clear brand strategy, underpinned by a unified product line up for the entire continent.

“Nissan is ready to capture the continent’s growth being the only original equipment manufacturer with a strong industrial footprint with fully owned manufacturing plants in Egypt and South Africa, as well as assembly operations in Ghana and Nigeria,” he added.

Paiva played an instrumental role in the Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania regions.

Under his leadership, multiple new models were successfully launched across Africa, including Magnite and the iconic Patrol. Paiva is returning to the Renault group, where he was before joining Nissan 11 years prior.

Further, during the week of March 25, Nissan Africa will launch Daring Africa 2024, which is an eight-country odyssey comprising five Navaras and a Nissan X-Trail, from the home of the Navara in South Africa to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Kenya, later ending in Egypt.

“The epic adventure will showcase both the Navara’s capabilities and Nissan’s African partners in the individual markets, while linking the assembly plants in Rosslyn and Cairo, ahead of the Navara’s introduction to the Egyptian market,” Nissan said.