Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, July 2026 — Nissan Motor Corporation has appointed Juan Wheeler as Managing Director of Nissan South Africa, in addition to his current responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer of Nissan Africa.
The appointment marks another significant milestone in Wheeler’s distinguished automotive leadership career spanning nearly three decades across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. As Managing Director, he will lead Nissan South Africa’s operations while continuing to serve as CFO for Nissan Africa, helping drive the company’s growth strategy and strengthen its position in one of the continent’s most important automotive markets.
Juan joined Nissan Motor Corporation in 2025 as Chief Financial Officer – Nissan Africa, where he has been responsible for the company’s financial strategy and governance across the African region.
Prior to joining Nissan, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Stellantis in South Africa following the merger of FCA and PSA. He had previously held the same role at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, providing financial leadership during a transformative period for the business.
Earlier, Juan held several international leadership positions with Ford Motor Company over more than a decade. His assignments included Sales Finance Manager – Middle East, Finance Director – Ford Vietnam, Finance Director – Ford Indonesia, Asia Pacific Africa Marketing & Sales Controller, and leadership roles in product finance, forward model planning, and regional financial management across Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Middle East, and South Africa.
Before his international assignments, he gained valuable commercial and dealer-network experience as Finance and Warranty Manager at Volvo Car Group in South Africa.
Juan began his professional career as a State Accountant with South Africa’s Department of Foreign Affairs before transitioning into the automotive industry, where he has built extensive expertise across finance, manufacturing, sales, product planning, and executive leadership.
About Nissan Motor Corporation
Nissan Motor Corporation is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. The company markets vehicles under the Nissan and INFINITI brands and operates across four major regions—Japan-ASEAN, China, the Americas, and AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania). Nissan continues to drive innovation in mobility through advanced technologies, electrification, and customer-focused automotive solutions.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
