Nissan China Appoints Its First Chinese National as General Manager

[Personnel Appointment] Nissan China announced that Liu Xinyu will assume the role of General Manager, becoming the first Chinese national to hold this executive position.

Key Development: Liu Xinyu to Officially Take Office on April 1, 2026

Liu Xinyu will succeed Japanese executive Shinji Izumi as General Manager of Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd., reporting directly to Max Ma, Chairman of Nissan China. From January to March 2026, Liu served as Senior Advisor to the General Manager to facilitate a smooth transition.

Strategic Foundation: Accelerating Localization Strategy

Liu Xinyu brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, having led marketing system reforms, channel optimization, and new energy vehicle transformation at Dongfeng Nissan. His operational background spanning both Chinese and European markets underscores Nissan’s strategic intent to deepen localized decision-making.

Key Facts: Executive Profile Highlights

Liu Xinyu graduated from Tongji University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in automotive engineering and holds an EMBA from China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). He previously served as General Manager of Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Sales Co., Ltd. (May 2023 – December 2025).