Nissan expands Thierry Sabbagh’s role to include India in AMIEO leadership reshuffle

Nissan Motor Co. has announced a series of senior leadership changes across its Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region, aimed at accelerating the execution of its Re:Nissan transformation plan and sharpening operational efficiency, speed and customer focus.

As part of the restructuring, Thierry Sabbagh’s mandate has been expanded to include India. Effective January 1, 2026, he will serve as Divisional Vice President and President for the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, CIS and India for both Nissan and Infiniti brands.

The company said the move reflects its intent to maintain leadership continuity in established markets while reinforcing governance and growth momentum in India, which it has identified as a strategic priority within the AMIEO region.

Focus on regional agility and customer-centric growth

Announcing the changes, Massimiliano Messina, chairperson of Nissan AMIEO, said the leadership realignment is central to the company’s broader transformation agenda.

“The Re:Nissan plan is about transformation and customer-centricity. By empowering regional leadership, we are creating a more agile organisation that can respond quickly to market dynamics and deliver competitive, compelling products. I am confident these changes will strengthen our performance and supercharge our progress in 2026 and I wish Thierry every success in his new role,” Messina said.

Sabbagh highlights growth potential in Middle East and India

Sabbagh, who will now oversee operations across the Middle East, KSA, CIS and India, described the expanded responsibility as timely, citing the growth trajectory of the markets under his charge.

“I am honored to take on this expanded role at a pivotal time for Nissan. The Middle East and India are dynamic, fast-growing and continuously evolving markets, with significant opportunities ahead. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and partners across the region to build on our strong foundations, accelerate growth and deliver meaningful value for our customers,” he said.

India leadership welcomes appointment

Nissan Motor India’s Managing Director, Saurabh Vatsa, said the appointment signals a new phase for the company’s India business.

“This is a significant moment for Nissan in India as we enter a new phase of growth. Having Thierry on board reinforces our confidence in the path ahead, and his experience and leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our market presence and delivering even greater value to our customers. This appointment further strengthens our leadership as we move from transformation to execution, with a clear focus on products, customers and sustainable growth,” Vatsa said.

Nissan said the broader AMIEO leadership changes are designed to streamline decision-making and support faster execution as the company advances its restructuring and growth roadmap for 2026 and beyond.