By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
New Nissan Philippines, Inc. President Atsushi Najima has expressed confidence on the future of Leaf, Nissan’s full electric vehicle model that is set for local introduction in 2020, even as they are still working with government for the crafting of policies for e-vehicles.
NISSAN HANDOVER – New Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) President and Managing Director Atsushi Najima (right) accepts the symbolic key from outgoing NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan at Handover Ceremonies held on April 11, 2019 at Shangri-la Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.
“We will work with government to support policies,” Najima said after the Nissan Handover ceremonies Thursday from then NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan at Shangri-la in Bonifacio Global City. Narasimhan has been appointed to head Nissan Thailand after leading NPI to an unprecedented growth in the past three years and regaining its rank as the third largest car company in the country.
Najima noted that Leaf, backed by a strong Nissan EV history, is number one in EV sales globally. He said they are working with Philippine government to craft e-vehicle policies. Part of the discussions on EV infrastructure includes charging stations.
With that, he expressed confidence they would be ready to bring leaf in 2020 and give its drive for further growth a big push. With Leaf, he said, they would be promoting the much-vaunted Nissan Intelligent Mobility.
“Nissan Intelligent Mobility that is the future, the transformation on how we drive and how live,” said Najima, who graduated from the University of Tokyo with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and completed his Master of Business Administration at Kobe University in Japan.
Najima noted that Leaf would part of its future in the Philippines, which he said is on the stage of motorization given the country’s sustained 6 percent GDP growth, per capita income of more than $3,000 and a huge population of more than 100 million.
“The Philippines is a very promising market,” said Najima, who vowed to continue sustaining the growth momentum of Nissan Philippines by providing quality products, after sales service and more customer satisfaction for Filipinos buyers. He also noted of opportunities in the commercial vehicle market.
“So, our service is not people service only, but after sales service also and then translate this to customer satisfaction and higher sales,” he said.
Najima noted that efforts to introduce and what segments will be guided by priorities and based on their resources.
“I won’t change any strategy because our strategy is working and functioning, but to penetrate some more, understand the market and Filipino customers and build on that,” said Najima, who joined Nissan in 2016 and was the general manager in Nissan Motor, Yokohama before moving to the Philippines. He also worked previously for P&G Singapore, during which time he was associate director, finance manager for Japan, and country finance manager for P&G Malaysia and Singapore.