Story: RALPH MORTON
The US boss of Audi, Johan de Nysschen, is turning his back on the four rings of Ingolstadt and heading over to luxury performance car maker Infiniti.
As of 1 July 2012, de Nysschen will commence his new role as as senior vice president of Nissan Motor Company in charge of the Infiniti division. The appointment will be based at Infiniti’s new global headquarters in Hong Kong.
“We have exciting and ambitious plans for improving the Infiniti brand including introducing new models in all markets where premium customer demand exists,” said Andy Palmer, Nissan Motor Company Executive Vice President, product planning, business strategy, marketing communications and responsible for the Infiniti division.
“Johan is a highly successful global luxury automotive executive and his leadership of Infiniti will be a key factor in realising the potential of the Infiniti brand,” continued Palmer.
De Nysschen, who is currently President of Audi of America, will report to Andy Palmer.
The appointment of de Nysschen looks a smart move by Infiniti as it expands its luxury sporting vision throughout the world, as he comes with plenty of experience of sporting and luxury brands.
An employee with Audi for 19 years, de Nysschen has held executive positions in South Africa, Japan and most recently as President of the brand’s American operations. Prior to joining Audi, de Nysschen worked for BMW in South Africa.
The appointment of de Nysschen comes as Infiniti lines up as one of the sponsors of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 28 June to 1 July. Both Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti-supported Red Bull team mate Mark Webber will head the driver line-up.
Webber is down to drive Infiniti’s first running prototype of the range-extender sports car known as EMERG-E up the hill on Saturday, while Vettel will power the thumpingly fast Infiniti FX ‘Vettel Edition’ SUV up the hill on Sunday.
Also going up the hill will be the recently revised Infiniti M35h hybrid, the world’s fastest-accelerating petrol/electric hybrid saloon.
Despite such accelerative performance, the M35h offers over 40mpg and producing only 159g/km CO2, it offers company car drivers a 22% benefit in kind tax position on our company car tax calculator.
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See our road test of the Infiniti M35h: Sports saloon with a green heart.
