Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan Global Design Director, to Step Down in October

Tokyo — Alfonso Albaisa, the Cuban-American designer who has led Nissan's global design since 2017, will officially step down from his role as Global Design Director on October 1, 2026. His successor is current Senior Design Director Matthew Weaver. Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd. announced the leadership transition on August 4, 2026.

Now 62, Albaisa joined Nissan's U.S. design team in 1988 and is a true Nissan veteran: He was promoted to Director of Nissan North America Design Center in 2004; served as Deputy Design Director for Nissan Europe from 2007 to 2010; later became Head of Global Design for Infiniti, and in 2017 assumed the role of Nissan's first non-Japanese Global Design Director — succeeding Shiro Nakamura. He spearheaded key design projects including the Nissan Ariya crossover, the all-new Z sports car, and multiple Infiniti models, earning acclaim for his restrained, minimalist aesthetic rooted in traditional Japanese design principles.

During his tenure, Albaisa also championed brand personality — publicly advocating for the continuation of distinctive models like the Juke and Cube, underscoring that "freshness and fun" are vital to brand vitality. His signature works — including the Infiniti Prototype 9 concept, the piano-key LED headlamp design on the QX50, and deeply sculpted body surfaces — reflect his dual focus on craftsmanship and visual impact.

Weaver, aged 53, joined Nissan in 2001 and previously led the design of European bestsellers such as the Qashqai and the original Juke, and contributed to the development of the R35 GT-R. He long oversaw Nissan's European design operations (based in London) before relocating to Nissan's global design headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, in 2025. Prior to Nissan, he worked at Ford and Volkswagen Group. Following this promotion, he will report directly to Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa.

Albaisa will remain with Nissan as an advisor through December 31, 2026, to ensure a smooth leadership transition. This change does not coincide with any new vehicle launch or production plan adjustments — it is a routine senior executive rotation.