News Summary
Nissan has appointed Michael Soutter as the new Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales. With over a decade of experience at Nissan, Soutter aims to enhance marketing strategies and customer experiences for both the Nissan and INFINITI brands. His appointment comes after the departure of Vinay Shahani, who reshaped the brands during his tenure. Soutter’s strong leadership and background promise a bright future for Nissan in a competitive automotive market.
Nissan Welcomes Michael Soutter as Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales
In an exciting turn of events in the automotive world, Nissan has announced that Michael Soutter is stepping into the role of Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales for both the Nissan and INFINITI brands, effective immediately. This change brings a fresh face to the marketing and sales leadership at Nissan, a company that continues to play a significant role in the automotive industry.
A Seasoned Executive in the Automotive Industry
Soutter comes armed with over a decade of experience at Nissan, having held important leadership roles that span both global and regional operations. His journey at Nissan began in Canada, where he took on various leadership positions in sales and aftersales. Most recently, he was based in Franklin, Tennessee, serving as the Vice President of Aftersales at Nissan Americas from 2018 to 2022. There’s no doubt that he has built an impressive track record over his years with the brand.
Strong Performance and Leadership
After leaving the Aftersales role, Soutter’s path led him to Japan, where he took on the position of Corporate Vice President. During his time there from 2022 to 2023, he successfully led Nissan’s Global Aftersales business, driving strong performance and even achieving record operating profits for the business unit. His impressive leadership style and business acumen make him a valuable asset to Nissan as they look to enhance their marketing strategies and overall sales performance.
Confidence from Leadership
Christian Meunier, the Chairman of Nissan Americas, expressed his excitement about Soutter’s appointment. He noted that Soutter is a strong and experienced leader with a proven history of working effectively with dealer partners. Meunier emphasized that he is confident that Soutter is the right person to help elevate both the Nissan and INFINITI brands. With Soutter onboard, Nissan aims to improve customer experiences and grow sales amid increasingly competitive market conditions.
Transition in Leadership
Michael Soutter takes over from Vinay Shahani, who is leaving Nissan for a new opportunity outside the automotive industry. Shahani’s decision was influenced by a desire to spend more time with his family. During his tenure, Shahani played a pivotal role in reshaping the Nissan and INFINITI brands for the better, having rejoined the company in early 2024 and accomplished significant milestones in brand redefinition.
A Strong Educational Background
Soutter’s educational background complements his professional experience. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics from Concordia University, alongside an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University. This strong educational foundation further reflects his capability to lead in a complex and dynamic industry.
A New Era for Nissan
With Michael Soutter now at the helm, the future looks promising for Nissan and INFINITI. As he settles into his new role at the Nissan Americas headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, both brands are excited to leverage his expertise to navigate through the ever-changing automotive landscape. It will be interesting to see how his strategic vision and experience shape the direction of marketing and sales in the U.S. for Nissan and INFINITI, ultimately enhancing the customer journey.
As Nissan leads into this new chapter, anticipation grows for the fresh ideas and strategies that Michael Soutter is sure to bring to the table.
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Additional Resources
- Nissan News Release
- Wikipedia: Nissan
- MediaPost
- Google Search: Nissan marketing news
- Automotive News
- Google Scholar: Nissan Marketing
- Tennessean
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nissan
- Autoblog
- Google News: Nissan Soutter
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The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
