(April 13, 2013) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nissan has announced that Fred M. Diaz has been named to the newly formed position of divisional vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing. Diaz leaves Chrysler Group where he has served as president and chief executive officer of the Ram Truck brand since October 2009.

In this new leadership role, Diaz will assume full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Nissan Division in the United States, including all sales, marketing, fixed operations, parts and service and administration functions. He will lead the Nissan Division team with the Marketing, Light Commercial Vehicle & Fleet, Parts & Service and Regional Operations functions reporting directly to him.

"Fred Diaz is one of the most experienced, results-driven sales and marketing executives in our industry, and we are privileged to welcome him to Nissan," said José Muñoz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, Customer Quality and Dealer Network Development, Nissan Americas. .

"As Nissan Division continues to grow in the United States, we expect Fred to convey a fresh perspective to our dealers and the entire divisional operations team that he will now lead."

During his 24-year career at Chrysler, Diaz progressed through a series of sales company roles beginning as a trainee and zone manager through to the head of national sales and, ultimately, CEO of the Ram brand. He has extensive automotive experience across the sales, field operations, distribution, service and marketing arenas.

Diaz is a respected executive in the automotive industry who has overseen a period of tremendous growth at the Ram brand. In addition to the Ram brand's 17 percent sales increase in 2012, he was instrumental in leading the brand to win the 2013 'North American Truck of the Year' award for the new Ram 1500 pickup truck.