Q50

Make
Infiniti
Segment
Sedan

Typically when an automaker (or any other company for that matter) names a new chief executive, it has some lead time to get all its proverbial ducks in order. But Infiniti has had to act quickly to appoint a new boss after its existing president has left with immediate effect.

As of this week already, Nissan's luxury division will be run by Christian Meunier, who's been promoted to the rank of president, as well as chairman of Infiniti's management committee. The promotion comes from within as Meunier has served until now as its global vice president in charge of marketing and sales.

Meunier (pictured below) replaces Roland Krueger (above), who has run the luxury marque since 2014 when he took over from Johan de Nysschen, who left to take the helm at Cadillac. The company said only that Krueger "has elected to leave the company to pursue new opportunities." Before joining Nissan, Krueger ran BMW's Asian and Japanese operations.

As sudden as the move may have emerged, it's not even the most dramatic recent shift in Nissan's top ranks. The company recently parted ways with its chairman Carlos Ghosn amid allegations of financial misconduct – charges for which he's been held by government prosecutors in Japan.

Meunier started his career at Nissan's European division back in 2002, but he's no stranger to the North American market. Before taking over Infiniti's global sales and marketing in October of 2017, he served in the same capacity for Nissan's North American division, and as head of the automaker's Canadian office where was responsible for all of Nissan's operations.

"Christian Meunier brings a record of success to this role, in addition to continuity based on his current global marketing and sales leadership position at Infiniti," said Nissan CEO and President Hiroto Saikawa upon the appointment. "We are fortunate to welcome him to this new challenge."