Key Exec at Nissan Planning to Retire

William Kirrane, Nissan North America vice president and Nissan division general manager, is retiring this month after 32 years with the company, setting off a chain of promotions at the Gardena-based importer and distributor of Nissan and Infiniti cars and trucks.

Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager of the company’s Infiniti luxury car division, will replace Kirrane, effective July 20.

Kirrane, 57, has overseen a major overhaul of the company’s U.S. offerings and operations since taking command of the Nissan division three years ago. In that period its domestic market share has grown to 4% from 3.8%.

Tokyo-based Nissan Motor Co. has rebounded from near insolvency in 1998 to record-setting profit in the last two years under a recovery plan developed by Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn.

In the U.S., Kirrane helped oversee a revitalization program that included the introduction of a wide range of new or redesigned models.

McNabb, 42, joined Nissan in 1986 and has held a number of management positions. As Nissan division general manager, he will oversee this month’s launch of the new Quest minivan and the year-end launch of the Titan pickup.

At Infiniti, McNabb has overseen a significant sales jump propelled by the introduction of new vehicles, including the G35 sport coupe and sedan and the FX35 crossover sport utility. Infiniti division sales were up 23% last year and are up an additional 36% through June this year.

Mark Igo, 47, a Nissan division regional vice president and a 20-year employee of the company, will succeed McNabb at Infiniti.

Other management changes triggered by Kirrane’s retirement include promotion of Nissan division operations manager John Spoon, 46, to replace Igo as regional vice president for the South Central region; Wayne Adair, 47, director of Nissan marketing, to become operations manager; and Fred Suckow, 42, Nissan model line manager, to replace Adair as marketing director.