Nissan Taps Latin America Chief to Head N. America

Nissan Motor Co. says Jose Munoz, senior vice president of Latin American sales and marketing, will add the same titles for the company's U.S. and Canadian operations on April 1.

Munoz will replace Brian Carolin, who will retire after 28 years at the company and return to his native England. Carolin has headed North American sales and marketing for four years.

Munoz will retain his other current responsibilities as head of Americas customer quality and dealer network development. He will continue to report to Colin Dodge, chairman of Nissan's Americas business.

His new job could include meeting Dodge's goal for Nissan overtaking Honda to become America's second-largest import brand after Toyota. So far this year Nissan holds 7.1% of U.S. market share compared to Honda's 8.8%.

Munoz joined Nissan Europe in 2004 after more than 10 years in the auto industry. In 2009 he took charge of sales in Mexico, where the company credits him with leading the brand to 42 straight months of sales leadership.