Renault’s Klein Replaces Palmer at Nissan

Nissan Motor Co. has named Philippe Klein, the executive vice president who headed product planning at Renault SA, to become its chief planning officer on Sept. 15.

Klein, 57, succeeds Andy Palmer, who has left Nissan to take over as CEO of U.K.-based luxury supercar maker Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. Nissan did not immediately name an executive to assume Palmer's former role as chairman of the company's Infiniti luxury-car brand.

Palmer is the second top-level executive to exit Nissan in the past two months. CEO Johan de Nysschen left in July to head General Motors Co.'s Cadillac brand.

Klein's return to Nissan will be his third tour with the Japanese carmaker since the Renault-Nissan alliance was formed 15 years ago. He was assigned to head administrative operations for Nissan's office of the CEO in 1999-2003 during the company's restructuring.

The Renault executive returned to Nissan in 2007 for a one-year stint managing administrative activities for the company's offices of the CEO and chief operating officer.

Klein began his career at Renault in 1981 as an engine development engineer. He also is past vice president for vehicle engineering process quality there.