Yokohama (Japan) (AFP)

The Japanese automaker Nissan, in the midst of redesigning its management following the ousting of Carlos Ghosn, on Tuesday chose as a new director the head of its Chinese subsidiary, Makoto Uchida, the group said at a press conference.

The board of directors, which met Tuesday at the group's headquarters in Yokohama, near Tokyo, has also appointed director of operations (COO) Indian Ashwani Gupta, who currently holds the same position at the partner's office. of Nissan Mitsubishi Motors. A senior Nissan manager, Jun Seki, will become vice-COO.

These appointments will be effective by January 1 at the latest, said Nissan.

"The board has concluded that Mr. Uchida is the right leader to take the business forward," said Yasushi Kimura, chairman of the board.

Masakazu Toyoda, who heads Nissan's nominating committee, pointed out that the three men were "citizens of the world".

"And they attach great importance to alliances and are motivated to make quick decisions," he added.

"We think this structure is the best way to overcome the difficulties that society faces."

Mr. Uchida is a vice-president of Nissan, where he has been working since 2003. The Japanese press describes him as having played a key role in Nissan's growth strategy.

The business daily Nikkei reports that it has long been involved in joint projects with the French manufacturer Renault, the other member of the alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors.

Last month, Nissan's previous chief executive, Hiroto Saikawa, was forced to resign, after being caught up in a bonus scandal he had improperly perceived in 2013, when Carlos Ghosn was still managing Nissan.

© 2019 AFP