Nissan Changes Gears; Godzilla's Dad No Longer Top Boss

Ghosn will be replaced by Hiroto Saikawa, who will be the face of the Japanese automaker effective April 1, 2017. Ghosn will seek a renewal of his mandate at the company's general shareholders meeting in June 2017.

The move is seen as part of a planned management evolution, as Ghosn will focus more of his attention on the expansion of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which now includes Mitsubishi Motors as well.

Ghosn said "I am confident that the management team I have developed at Nissan over the past 18 years has the talent and experience to meet the company's operational and strategic goals,"

He further added that "Having recently taken on new responsibilities at Mitsubishi Motors, and taking into consideration the upcoming Nissan general shareholders meeting, I have decided that the time is right for Hiroto Saikawa to succeed me as Nissan's CEO."

The company's new CEO Hiroto Saikawa currently serves as co-CEO of Nissan and a representative director. He has been with the company from 1977 and was its chief competitive officer from April 2013 to October 2016.

Since 1999, Saikawa has served in variety of senior management positions which included chairman of the management committees of the Americas and Europe, as well as the executive vice president of purchasing. Saikawa is also the current chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

While Nissan moves into a new chapter with the change in management, here is the extensive photo gallery of the Nissan GTR, treat yourself to the images, click to view.