Nissan North America is overhauling its manufacturing and research and development leadership, the company announced Thursday.
Among the new executive appointments is Kevin Hines, who was promoted to VP of production engineering and new model quality. Hines currently serves as senior director of plant support at the automaker’s assembly plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, and has worked for Nissan for over 23 years.
In his new role, Hines will be responsible for vehicle quality at Nissan's U.S. manufacturing operations. He will also oversee the development and rollout of advanced manufacturing technologies to support the production of electric vehicles. Hines will be based in Smyrna and report to David Johnson, SVP of manufacturing, supply chain management and purchasing for Nissan North America.
Nissan also named Kiichi Namba as VP of R&D for vehicle program engineering at the Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Namba currently serves as general manager of interior and exterior technology. In his new role, he will be responsible for vehicle program management, interior and exterior engineering, body systems and quality engineering.
In addition, Nissan appointed John Schnoes as VP of connected services engineering for the company’s Americas R&D organization. Schones currently serves as division general manager of connected car and services at Nissan's global headquarters in Japan. In his new role, which will be based in the U.S., he will help Nissan grow its connected business services.
All the appointments take effect on April 1.
