UPDATE: Nissan, Hyundai Shuffle U.S. Sales Execs

Bob Pradzinski, Hyundai's top U.S. sales executive, abruptly left the company after 19 months in that position. His departure has sparked two staff changes at Nissan Motor Co.'s U.S. unit.

Indications are that Pradzinski, a 24-year-veteran at Hyundai, wasn't forced out. But he joins a long line of sales and marketing executives who have suddenly exited the company, often for unexplained reasons, over the past several years.

Succeeding Pradzinski is Derrick Hatami, who left Hyundai a year ago to become head of U.S. sales for Nissan. He will rejoin Hyundai on Friday.

Hatami's position at Nissan has been absorbed by Dan Mohnke, who was the America unit's chief marketing manager. Mohnke, whose expanded assignment began today, is now vice president of sales and marketing.