Nissan Motor Co. has launched a full-fledged search for the successor to former President and Chief Executive Officer Hiroto Saikawa, 65, who formally resigned on Monday from both posts.
The number of candidates has been narrowed down to about 10, including people within the company. Nissan is planning to choose the successor by the end of October.
Two senior vice presidents are considered strong candidates within the firm. Jun Seki, 58, who is in charge of corporate reconstruction, has a unique career as a graduate of the National Defense Academy. He has worked in sections related to production engineering for many years, and has experience leading operations in China, which is Nissan’s main market along with North America.
The other senior vice president atop the running is Makoto Uchida, 53, who came to Nissan Motor from the former Nissho Iwai Corp. (currently Sojitz Corp.) He has been noted for achieving successful joint procurement with Renault, and is known for his overseas experience as well.
Uchida is currently in charge of developing the Chinese market as Seki’s successor.
Carlos Ghosn reigned at Nissan Motor for 19 years. This excessive concentration of power has led to continuing turmoil in management.
Nissan wants to show it is changing with the latest reshuffle. “We need to rejuvenate management,” an executive said. This has led to the view that Seki and Uchida are the strongest candidates.
In addition to Ghosn’s arrest and Saikawa’s resignation, Nissan is suffering from deteriorating performance. As stability of management is another challenge, expectations are high for Chief Operating Officer Yasuhiro Yamauchi, 63, also acting chief executive officer for the time being.
In 2017, it was discovered that unlicensed employees were conducting completion vehicle checks. Yamauchi was quick to take command of the response, and was described as “strong in an emergency” by another executive.
Other candidates include women and foreign nationals, as well as people from Renault, Nissan’s largest shareholder. The nominating committee plans to narrow down the candidates through interviews.
