Nissan’s N. America vice chairman to retire

Nissan Motor Co. said North American Vice Chairman Jim Morton, who oversaw the relocation of the automaker’s U.S. headquarters to Tennessee from California, will retire April 1, leaving the position vacant.

Morton, 61, will continue as senior advisor for government affairs on a contract basis, Tokyo-based Nissan said. Scott Becker, Nissan’s North American vice president of legal affairs, will take Morton’s government affairs responsibilities.

Morton joined Nissan, Japan’s third-largest automaker, in 2000 and acted as its regional chief for finance and administration.