ROLLE, Switzerland – INFINITI's new-model offensive is changing up a gear with the announcement of a new Europe-based product chief, the company's first. Nicolas Tschann has been appointed to the newly created role of Product Director for INFINITI EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). He previously headed up the team that developed the INFINITI Q30 Concept, one of the stars of the recent Frankfurt International Motor Show.
Based at INFINITI EMEA headquarters in Rolle, Switzerland, Tschann will coordinate all new model development for the region. Reporting to Fintan Knight, Vice President INFINITI EMEA, Tschann will work closely with INFINITI EMEA's product managers and product planning teams to develop new models increasingly tailored to specific market needs.
"At INFINITI, as the newest premium automotive brand, we have the ambition to disrupt and lead the premium segment with great technology, fast innovation and seductive styling - the imminent arrival of Q50 with the worlds first and fastest electric steering system is the beginning of an era," said Knight.
"The fact that we have created this senior role shows how crucial it is to INFINITI's future here. Nicolas brings with him a wealth of INFINITI experience, local knowledge and product passion and is exactly the right person for what will be a very demanding but hugely rewarding job."
Tschann has worked for INFINITI in Europe in a variety of product planning and product marketing roles since 2006, when he joined the brand from Nissan Europe. French by birth, he has degrees in engineering and a master's in marketing from universities in Paris. Prior to his appointment as Product Director, Tschann was Chief Product Specialist with INFINITI EMEA in Rolle, a job that included steering the INFINITI Q30 Concept to its successful world debut in Frankfurt in early September.
As Product Director based in Switzerland, Tschann is part of a rapidly increasing INFINITI presence in Europe, and will be working closely with INFINITI teams at design and technical centers in the UK as well as with the INFINITI Red Bull Racing Formula One team. In addition, INFINITI recently confirmed that work would soon begin on its first assembly plant in Europe, in Sunderland, UK, where an all-new compact premium car based on the INFINITI Q30 Concept will be built from 2015.
Tschann, who began his new role on October 1, said: "In new product terms, this is the most exciting time for INFINITI in its short history in Europe. There are great challenges ahead but we have great expectations, and I am confident we can build on our achievements so far and develop models that take premium motoring to new customers."
Knight added: "Nicolas' appointment marks our intention to ramp up new-model development so we can introduce INFINITI's provocative design and leading technology to even more sectors of the premium car market."
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its triple World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at http://www.infinitieurope.com/. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit http://www.infinitipress.eu, "like" INFINITI on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/infinitieurope or follow the brand on Twitter https://twitter.com/INFINITIEurope
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Contact:
INFINITI Europe
Emma Wilkie
INFINITI Europe Communications and Events Manager
Mobile: +41 79 701 8225
Email: Emma.Wilkie@infiniti.eu
