Earlier this week, just two years after Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn snatched Johan de Nysschen from Audi and appointed him the new boss of the group’s luxury brand Infiniti, the 54-year old executive submitted his resignation. Today, GM announced that it hired de Nysschen to lead Cadillac.
The Detroit carmaker said that de Nysschen will be appointed executive vice president of the company starting from September August 1 and will report directly to GM President Dan Ammann.
“Johan brings to our company vast experience in the development and proper execution of luxury automotive brands,” said Ammann. “With over 20 years in this exact space, especially in the development of the Audi brand, his track record proves he is the perfect executive to lead Cadillac for the long term.”
De Nysschen stated that he is impressed with Cadillac’s transformation and is eager to join the Detroit company.
“I have for some time now been impressed by how the new General Motors has been transformed into a formidable force in the industry,” he said. “The recognition of the brand is immense, and the progress on the fundamental product front is widely acclaimed. I am delighted at the opportunity to join the GM executive team to lead the Cadillac business, and I look forward to working with my Cadillac colleagues and our global retail partners.”
The appointment of the former Audi and Infiniti executive at the head of Cadillac comes after Thursday’s announcement that Bob Ferguson, who was in charge of GM’s luxury brand, would return to his previous position as the carmaker’s chief government lobbyist.
It also follows last month’s sudden departure of Cadillac’s U.S. vice president for sales and service, Bill Peffer, only 10 months after taking the job, making him the third person to step down from this position in the past two years.
By John Halas
PHOTO GALLERY
