Mr Loire joined Nissan in 2002 as market manager, Sales Operations for seven markets, before becoming brand director in Portugal in 2005 and then shift-Europe project director in France. In 2008 he was promoted to managing director Nissan Italy and in 2009, he was appointed vice president, Sales Operations for Nissan in Europe, covering 44 markets.

He started his automotive career in 1988 with Ford France where he rose to the position of fleet sales director within 11 years. In 2000 he moved to Fiat Auto SPA (Turin) with responsibility for the C-segment in Central Marketing.

In his new role, he will report to Gilles Normand, corporate vice president in charge of Africa, Middle East, India.

His appointment follows the departure of Jim Wright to take up the role of managing director of Nissan Motor GB Ltd.

Mr Loire commented: ‘Jim successfully led the launch of Infiniti across 19 European markets, now it is my job to grow the brand. We have ambitious plans to more than double our network over the next few years in readiness for a raft of new product, not least a zero-emissions vehicle plus an entrant in the luxury C-segment, and to maximise our sponsorship of Red Bull Racing. As a car guy, I can’t help but be excited by joining a brand that’s so synonymous with performance.’