Nissan China Appoints First Chinese General Manager: Liu Xinyu Takes Office in April

Nissan Motor recently announced a management reshuffle for its China operations. Liu Xinyu will assume the role of General Manager of Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd., effective April 1, 2026, becoming the first Chinese national to hold this position. He will report directly to Ma Zhixin, Member of Nissan’s Global Executive Committee, Chairman of Nissan China, and President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. Liu brings over two decades of automotive industry management experience, with expertise spanning supply chain, brand operations, marketing, and overseas business expansion. He has held positions at several major automakers and delivered significant results at Dongfeng Nissan in driving new energy vehicle transformation, marketing reforms, and brand revitalization. Prior to this appointment, Liu served as Senior Advisor to the General Manager of Nissan (China) and possesses extensive experience in the European market. The outgoing General Manager, Shinji Izumi, will return to Japan. Further personnel arrangements at Nissan will be announced separately.