Kuehl will be president effective from October 1, 2017. Both Nissan and Datsun will be Kuehl’s responsibility and he will oversee India operations that include marketing and sales, manufacturing, research and development.
He takes over from Guillaume Sicard, who stepped down recently. Sicard is now working with alliance partner Renault as vice-president (sales and marketing), Asia Pacific and managing director, South Asia.
“Nissan India is an increasingly important part of Nissan’s growth plans,” said Peyman Kargar, chairman of Nissan’s Africa, Middle East and India region. “Thanks to his diverse and deep global auto industry experience, Thomas will help drive our business forward with a focus on delivering the best products and satisfaction for our customers, dealers and employees in India.”
Kuehl comes with 22 years of international automotive experience in different areas of the value chain. His in-depth knowledge of the Indian market, accumulated during his time as brand head of Skoda Auto India and executive director - corporate strategy for Volkswagen Group, India, will be a bonus both Nissan and Datsun.
Kuehl said, “I am excited to be returning to India with Nissan. I have first-hand experience of the dynamism and great potential of India, which is on track to become one of the top three auto markets worldwide. Nissan is also poised for significant growth with an expanding range of great products, technologies and services across the Nissan and Datsun brands and a well-established and quality-driven national retail network, supported by local production and R&D in Chennai.”
