Nissan today didn't disclose why it had replaced its chief of design in Europe, but I suspect the change means that the company expects to add more creative flair to its European creations--France-based Renault also owns a controlling stake in Nissan, which also explains a lot.
The company has brought over Alfonso E. Albaisa, who Nissan said is a dual U.S. and Cuban citizen, from its offices in Japan to replace Satoru Tai, who is going back home to the company's headquarters. Mr. Albaisa will lead a team of 50 at Nissan's London design center.
As an example of Nissan's expanding European design efforts, Nissan recently took the wraps off of its Qashqai SUV, made and designed in here in Europe. The model is unlike any other SUV I've seen before, and I wonder what Mr. Albaisa has in store for us.
