Nissan has announced a series of senior management changes across its Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region, aimed at strengthening execution of its Re:Nissan transformation plan and improving operational efficiency, speed and customer focus.
Effective January 1, 2026, Thierry Sabbagh will take on an expanded role as Divisional Vice President and President, Middle East, KSA, CIS and India – Nissan and Infiniti. Along with his existing responsibilities, Sabbagh will now oversee Nissan India, reflecting the company’s intent to maintain leadership continuity in established markets while sharpening governance, execution and growth momentum in India, which has emerged as a strategic priority within the AMIEO region.
India is expected to play a central role in Nissan’s plans for 2026 as the brand accelerates its resurgence in the market. Over the next 14 to 16 months, Nissan India is set to introduce three new models, including GRAVITE, TEKTON and a new seven-seater C-SUV. Alongside product expansion, the company is also working to widen its customer reach by growing its dealer network to 250 touchpoints across the country.
Commenting on the leadership changes, Mr. Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson, Nissan AMIEO, said the Re:Nissan plan is focused on transformation and customer-centricity. He noted that empowering regional leadership would create a more agile organisation capable of responding quickly to market dynamics and delivering competitive products, adding that the changes are expected to strengthen performance and accelerate progress in 2026.
Mr. Sabbagh said he was honoured to take on the expanded role at a pivotal time for Nissan, describing the Middle East and India as dynamic, fast-growing markets with significant opportunities ahead. He added that he looks forward to working closely with teams and partners across the region to build on existing foundations, accelerate growth and deliver greater value to customers.
Welcoming the appointment, Mr. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said the move marks an important moment for Nissan in India as it enters a new phase of growth. He noted that Sabbagh’s experience and leadership would be instrumental in strengthening Nissan’s market presence and supporting the company’s shift from transformation to execution, with a clear focus on products, customers and sustainable growth.
As part of the announcement, Nissan also confirmed the departure of Mr. Leon Dorssers, Senior Vice President and Chief of Commercial Operations, Nissan AMIEO. Mr. Dorssers joined Nissan in 1992 and went on to hold multiple leadership roles across Europe, the Americas and Japan, before becoming Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales in the AMIEO region in 2021.
Following a series of product launches across AMIEO in 2025, Nissan said it is entering another strong year in the region, with more new products and technologies planned.
