INFINITI México Has New Managing Director
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INFINITI México Has New Managing Director

Photo by:   Nissan Mexicana
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Alejandro Enríquez By Alejandro Enríquez | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Mon, 08/16/2021 - 15:39

INFINITI announced its new Managing Director for Mexico, Latin American and Israel, starting on October 1: Ricardo Rodríguez, who has over 25 years of experience at Nissan. Currently, Rodríguez is the head of Nissan Importers Business Unit (NIBU), where he is responsible for operations in more than 34 countries in Latin America. Phillip Heldt, who served as head of the brand for over seven years will take a new position to be disclosed shortly by INFINITI.

Rodriguez arrives in an important moment for INFINITI, a premium brand of Nissan. The luxury brand will celebrate its tenth year in the Mexican market and the arrival of the recently introduced QX60 and the new QX55, both milestones for the INFINITI brand in terms of connectivity, safety and ADAS.

MBN and Mexico Automotive Review have kept track of the brand's milestones throughout the years. "As the global automotive market has continued to grow in the premium sector, OEMs have been increasingly seeking new plant locations, and Mexico constitutes the ideal environment due to a combination of factors such as its growing internal market, its competitive workforce, and its stable economy," told Heldt to MBN in 2014, as he assumed its new position.

In 2016, Heldt shared the strategies behind Nissan's new COMPAS plant in Mexico, which represented an investment of US$1 billion for the manufacture of some of the brand's models. "The plant is a true statement of our commitment to the country and the brand’s development. It will generate close to 4,000 jobs and produce close to 230,000 vehicles a year."

Just before the pandemic, Phillip Heldt reflected on how connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles were influencing the brand's plans for the future, while the company remained customer centric. "The customer plays a central role in INFINITI’s vision. In the premium segment, we often see that product and technology are above everything, which could neglect the role the customer can play," he said about being customer oriented. "Technology development in INFINITI is about betting on bold designs guided by the human element. We were pioneers in premium hybrid vehicles but also in safety features such as ProAssist, assisted electronic drivetrain. That is our legacy as a brand after 30 years," he said regarding new vehicle technologies.

On behalf of all the members of Mexico Automotive Review and Mexico Business, we wish Ricardo Rodríguez success as the new head of INFINITI in Mexico and wish all the best to Phillip Heldt in his future endeavors.

Photo by:   Nissan Mexicana

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