 |
|
Daniel Kirchert has been named INFINITI's new Managing Director in China. |
HONG KONG - INFINITI President Johan de Nysschen today announced another high-profile addition to his leadership team. Effective May 1, Daniel Kirchert will become INFINITI's new Managing Director in China, succeeding Allen Lu who has been appointed Managing Director, Asia & Oceania operations (all countries in the region with the exception of China) for INFINITI.
Going forward, Kirchert will be responsible for managing INFINITI's entire business and steer its growth plans in China. Last weekend at the Shanghai Auto Show, the company announced local production of two models that are specifically designed for the Chinese market.
Strengthening the importance of this market to INFINITI, the long-wheelbase versions of the INFINITI Q50 and QX50 premium vehicles will be built at the Xiangyang plant through INFINITI's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Company Ltd. as of 2014. INFINITI plans to expand its retail network in China by more than 30% in the course of this year.
"I am very pleased that we can further strengthen the INFINITI leadership team with Daniel Kirchert," said de Nysschen. "His intimate knowledge of the Chinese market and his proven track record in premium automotive brand management will be key as we embark on our growth plan for INFINITI in China. Daniel will make a substantial contribution to our long-term success."
Most recently, Kirchert had been Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and a Management Board member at BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd since 2007. In this capacity, he had overall responsibility for Marketing and Brand Management of the BMW brand in China. Under his leadership, BMW sales volume in China grew eight fold since 2007, while the dealer network increased from 70 to 350 retail outlets.
Kirchert spent his entire career with BMW. His premium automotive experience with the China market started ten years ago when he was still based at BMW's headquarters in Munich, Germany. In 2005, he moved to China as the Head of Business Development for BMW in the Greater China Region.
Kirchert is a German national. He has a degree in mathematics from Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich and a PhD in Economics. In addition to German, he fluently speaks Chinese and English.
# # #
About INFINITI:
- INFINITI, the premium automotive brand, reflects its brand promise "Inspired Performance" with a model line-up of saloons, coupés, SUVs and crossovers featuring exhilarating performance, emotive design and cutting edge technology. INFINITI continues to launch across the globe through a dedicated network of INFINITI Centres that share a commitment to exceptional hospitality throughout the entire period of ownership.
- INFINITI was launched in 1989 in the United States. INFINITI's global footprint expanded into Canada in 1990, Taiwan in 1997, the Middle East in 2004, Korea in 2005 and Russia in 2006. Global expansion continued in 2007 with INFINITI Centres opening in the Ukraine and in one of the world's fastest growing luxury automotive markets, China. In 2008 INFINITI launched in Western and Central Europe which has added 19 additional markets. INFINITI is sold globally in 47 markets to date.
- Since May 2012, INFINITI Motor Company Ltd.'s new global headquarters is situated in Hong Kong, headed by Johan de Nysschen as President of INFINITI.
- Since the 2011 season INFINITI has been a major partner of the Red Bull Racing Formula One team. The team will be known as INFINITI Red Bull Racing from the 2013 season as the relationship evolves to make INFINITI the title partner and lead technical partner with a shared engineering expertise that delivers benefits for the race track and the road. Earlier this year, three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was appointed INFINITI's Director of Performance.
Contacts:
Stefan Weinmann
General Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Mobile: +852 9447 9973
Email: stefan.weinmann@infiniti.com
Nathalie Greve
Senior Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Mobile: +852 9447 9711
Email: nathalie.greve@infiniti.com
Kyle Bazemore
Senior Manager, INFINITI Communications
INFINITI Americas
Mobile: 615 739 8404
Email: kyle.bazemore@infiniti.com
