FINTAN KNIGHT APPOINTED INFINITI VICE PRESIDENT FOR BRAND OPERATIONS IN AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST, INDIA & EUROPE

Infiniti has not been winning many awards lately in Europe or the Middle East & North Africa region, mainly because of a very modest brand awareness, not only among the public but also among large parts of the professional motoring media in this region. Many people do not even know that Infiniti has been involved heavily with Formula 1 for a few years now.

This might change, with the appointment of a new Vice-President responsible for brand operations in Africa, Middle East, India and Europe, as Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen today (14.03.2013) announced another high-profile addition to the Infiniti leadership team.

Effective May 1, 2013, Fintan Knight will become Infiniti’s new Vice President for brand operations in Africa, Middle East, India and Europe.

Prior to joining Infiniti, Mr. Knight was commercial director and Member of the Board of Management at Automobil Lamborghini SpA, based in Italy, where he spearheaded the company’s marketing, sales, aftersales and joint subsidiary management.

From 1995-2008, Knight held prominent positions at Audi throughout the world, among them Managing Director of Audi Ireland and General Manager, Audi Asia and Pacific, where he gained experience in marketing , network development and aftersales management in several Asia Pacific markets.

“The addition of Fintan Knight is a key ingredient that further strengthens the Infiniti leadership team,” said de Nysschen. “His proven track record in premium automotive brand management will be a tremendous asset as we reach out to new customers as part of Infiniti’s global growth plan. I have every confidence that Fintan will make a substantial contribution to our long-term success.”

Knight has 20 years of premium automotive experience. Before joining Audi, he also worked for BMW in Australia, where he began his career in the auto industry.

An Australian national, Mr. Knight holds a degree in economics from University of Western Australia and an MBA from IESE Business School, University of Navarra. He speaks English and German, with a splash of Italian.
Mr. Knight succeeds Bernard Loire who has been named Managing Director of Nissan Italia.



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 on 1 July.

Since the 2011 season Infiniti has been a major partner of the Red Bull Racing team. In 2012, three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was appointed Infiniti's first ever Global Brand Ambassador.

The team will be known as Infiniti Red Bull Racing from 2013 season as the relationship evolves to make Infiniti the title partner and lead technical partner with a shared engineering expertise that benefits for the race track and the road.

MS
15.03.2013
Hong Kong - Dubai - Cairo