OREANDA-NEWS. Nissan today announced senior management appointments to further strengthen the company's Marketing and Sales operations in Japan, China and Mexico.

"Today's announcements demonstrate the strength and diversity of Nissan's talented leadership in North America as one of our key leaders moves to China, and we appoint the first female president as a country head in the history of our company," said Jos? Mu?oz, executive vice president, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML) and chairman, Nissan North America.

Airton Cousseau, currently president, Nissan Mexicana, will be appointed vice president, Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., as well as managing director, Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Co. (subject to approval by the board of directors). Cousseau's strong background in import and export sales and marketing, finance, dealer network development and aftersales have helped to maintain 83 consecutive months of leading market share in Mexico. This same expertise is expected to develop and grow the dealer network in China. He will report directly to Jun Seki, President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd.

"Airton Cousseau has performed at a very high level during his tenure in Nissan Mexico, and his results have been nothing short of extraordinary," said Mu?oz. "We expect that he will transfer his leadership talents to China and provide Dongfeng with strong performance as they work to attain their full potential."

Cousseau will succeed Susumu Uchikoshi, currently vice president, Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., who is returning to NML global headquarters to assume a newly created role of regional senior vice president, Japan Marketing and Sales.

Mayra Gonzalez, currently regional vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Mexicana, will be appointed as president, Nissan Mexicana. Gonzalez will become the first female executive ever to be appointed president of a country within the Nissan Group. Her experience spans Customer Quality, Sales and Dealer Network Development in North and South America.

"Mayra Gonzalez has proven to be an effective and gifted executive during her time in Nissan Mexico," said Mu?oz. "We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her leading our Mexican operations to continued success in the future."

All changes are effective July 1, 2016.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010.