Nissan Leadership Expansion: Sabbagh Leads India & Middle East

Nissan has announced a significant Nissan leadership expansion as part of its Re:Nissan transformation plan, with Thierry Sabbagh taking on expanded responsibilities to include India alongside his existing role overseeing Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and CIS markets for both Nissan and INFINITI brands.

Strategic Leadership Restructuring Targets Growth Markets

Effective January 1, 2026, Sabbagh assumes the role of Divisional Vice President and President, Middle East, KSA, CIS and India for Nissan and INFINITI. This Nissan leadership expansion reflects the company’s focus on maintaining continuity in established markets while strengthening governance and execution in India as a strategic priority within the AMIEO region.

India represents a central component of Nissan’s 2026 ambitions, with the brand accelerating its market resurgence through three new model launches over the next 14 to 16 months. These include the Gravite, Tekton, and a 7-seater C-SUV, supported by an expanding dealer network reaching 250 touchpoints across the country.

Operational Structure Redesign Emphasizes Customer Focus

The new AMIEO Marketing & Sales structure brings decision-making closer to customers while integrating key functions to drive agility and competitiveness. Jordi Vila expands his role to Divisional Vice President Nissan Europe and Africa, AMIEO Aftersales and Brand, incorporating Marketing and Sales Europe responsibilities.

At the regional level, Nissan will integrate Product Planning and Marketing into a unified organization. Clíodhna Lyons will lead as Regional Vice President Product, Services and Marketing Strategy, overseeing advanced planning and product lifecycle management. Guillaume Barbet’s remit as Regional Vice President Sales Planning and Operations expands to cover all planning activities, pricing, and operational efficiency.

The Re:Nissan plan is about transformation and customer-centricity. By empowering regional leadership, we are creating a more agile organization that can respond quickly to market dynamics and deliver competitive, compelling products.
Massimiliano Messina, Nissan AMIEO Chairperson

Product Pipeline Strengthens Regional Presence

Following successful product launches across AMIEO in 2025, Nissan’s 2026 roadmap includes the India launches of GRAVITE and TEKTON in early 2026, the next-generation Nissan Navara arriving in Oceania showrooms, and the new electric Nissan Juke launching in Europe. The company also announced the departure of Leon Dorssers, Senior Vice President, Chief of Commercial Operations, who joined Nissan as a trainee in 1992 and held leadership roles across multiple regions before becoming AMIEO Senior Vice President Marketing and Sales in 2021.