Nissan Shuffles Execs, Taps COO to Head EV Unit

Nissan Motor Co. has given Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga the additional responsibilities of overseeing the company's zero-emission vehicle planning and strategy and its global battery business, effective April 1.

He replaces current EV chief Hideaki Watanabe, who will leave to head the electronics unit at parts affiliate Calsonic Kansei Corp. Shiga's quality-control duties will be transfer to an unidentified executive.

CEO Carlos Ghosn has made EVs central to Nissan's strategy to reduce tailpipe emissions and boost fuel efficiency. But sales of its Leaf electric sedan have disappointed. In the U.S. the company targeted 20,000 Leaf registrations last year but sold only 9,800 vehicles.

Nissan also named Hiroto Saikawa to the newly created job of chief competitive officer, in addition to his current duties as purchasing chief for Asia. The new post is intended to boost the company's competitiveness and cut costs by coordinating efforts among manufacturing, supply chain management, R&D and customer service units.

Also appointed to new posts on April 1:

Takao Asami to senior vice president for planning and advanced engineering development.

Anthony Laydon to corporate vice president for global supply chain management.

Simon Sproule, corporate vice president of global marketing communications, will add the title of director of marketing communications for the Renault-Nissan alliance.

Roel De Vries to corporate vice president for global marketing and brands.

Jeff Kuhlman to vice president of global communications.