- Position: Divisional Vice President, Africa, Nissan
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Catalan, basic Dutch and Portuguese
PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Jordi Vila is Divisional Vice President serving as President for Nissan Africa, a strategic region for Nissan, home to two manufacturing plants and significant potential for business growth.
With over 30 years at Nissan, Jordi has gained extensive experience across marketing, sales, and team leadership roles, demonstrating a unique ability to drive results and foster cohesive teams in complex environments.
Jordi joined Nissan in 1989 as an Export Area Manager, focusing on the 4x4 and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) businesses in Europe and overseas markets. His career trajectory has since included pivotal roles across headquarters and markets , alternating between sales, marketing, and customer-focused assignments. Jordi's leadership has been instrumental in fostering new business streams and delivering measurable growth across the regions he has served.
Notable Achievements:
- Responsible for substantial growth in fleet sales and residual value management.
- Improved market share in the Netherlands and achieved profitable volume growth in the Nordics.
- Played a critical role in the successful launches of the LEAF and Navara, and enhanced focus on profitable growth.
- Successful overhaul of Nissan operations in Europe @ post Covid achieving record region profit and cash recovery
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
Jordi leads with a dynamic mix of collaboration, agility, and bold innovation. He's all about building tight-knit, empowered teams that thrive on shared goals and big ideas. With a laser focus on delivering results that truly matter, Jordi keeps the customer at the heart of every decision, driving success with passion and purpose.
BEHIND THE TITLE
Outside of work, Jordi enjoys spending time with his family and friends, running for health and mental clarity, and engaging in recreational activities such as tennis, sailing, and flying light aeroplanes. Jordi also values finding time for himself to reflect and recharge.
HISTORY
- 2024 - Present: Divisional Vice President, President Nissan Africa – Nissan
- Oversees operations and strategic business development for the African region.
- Previous roles:
- 2020 - 2024: Divisional Vice President, Marketing & Sales Europe – Nissan
- 2020: Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales Asia & Oceania – Nissan
- 2017 - 2020: Vice President, Sales and Network Operations – Nissan Europe
- 2015 - 2017: Managing Director – Nissan Nordics
- 2014 - 2015: Country Director – Nissan Netherlands
- 2011 - 2014: General Manager, Corporate Sales – Nissan Europe
- 1997 - 2011: Various Roles – Nissan Europe and markets: CMM, Sales Director, CQ&DND Director, others
- 1989 - 1997: Export Area Manager – Nissan Motor Iberica focusing on Europe LCV and Genera Export CBU and CKD operations
EDUCATION
- 1992 - 1994: Master of Foreign Trade – Centro de Estudios de Economia Internacional,
- 1989 - 1991: MBA – University of South Carolina Programme, Instituto Catalan de Formacion Empresarial
- 1982 - 1987: Master of Laws – Barcelona Central University