Nissan’s New CEO Faces Shareholder Anger As Comeback Plan Takes Shape

A Test For New Leadership

Nissan's recent annual shareholder meeting was, let's just say, full of drama. Some shareholders wanted former chairman Carlos Ghosn back on the board, while others vented frustration over the company's declining stock price. Through it all, Ivan Espinosa remained at the helm as CEO.

Espinosa even kept a firm grip on the meeting, telling an interjecting woman to “please be quiet” and threatening to eject another unruly shareholder from the hall, according to Automotive News. Former Asahi Group chairman Akiyoshi Koji was appointed Nissan’s board chairman, while Motoo Nagai, who has been criticized by Ghosn supporters over his role in the saga, was rejected as an outside independent director. Proxy advisers said Nagai lacked true independence, citing his long career as a top executive at Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., one of Nissan’s top institutional banks.

Building Momentum

Nissan appointed Espinosa as CEO in April 2025, and there are already signs of progress. The Japanese marque said it was the “fastest-growing mainstream automotive brand” in the U.S. during the 2025 fiscal year, which ran from April 1 to March 31. Espinosa also said the company should rebound as disruption from the Middle East conflict eases and as his Re:Nissan recovery plan takes shape, with major changes including job cuts and plant closures.

Espinosa also said he will unveil a new midterm business plan by the end of the fiscal year, signaling Nissan’s transition from recovery to growth. So far, the automaker plans to expand its U.S. lineup with a new body-on-frame SUV called the Xterra, which would rival the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. It is also preparing to expand its hybrid presence with its e-Power system, expected to debut in the Rogue.

For enthusiasts, Nissan is also working on a successor to the R35 GT-R, which could arrive before the end of the decade.

Chasing Former Glory

Moving forward, Nissan's board will consist of 11 members rather than the proposed 12. Some of its forecasts include global deliveries expanding 4.7% to 3.30 million vehicles in the current fiscal year, operating profit more than tripling to ¥200 billion (about $1.2 billion at current exchange rates), and net income of ¥20.0 billion ($125 million).

It will be interesting to see whether these plans come to fruition, given Nissan has been dealing with a downward trend and financial troubles for years, especially after the Ghosn scandal. Since then, Hyundai has become a more prominent player in the U.S., while fellow Japanese marques Toyota and Honda have maintained much stronger sales positions.

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