The Chamber of Commerce of Brazil in Japan (CCBJ) has named Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, its Person of the Year 2014. This award is given annually to an individual who makes a notable contribution to strengthening the economic relationship between Brazil and Japan.
In selecting Ghosn, CCBJ members recognized both his impact in expanding the economic ties between Brazil and Japan and his achievements as a global business leader.
The CCBJ award gala was held at a hotel in central Tokyo. Attendees included André Corrêa do Lago, Ambassador of Brazil and Marcos Turini, President of the CCBJ. After receiving his trophy, Ghosn expressed his gratitude to the CCBJ members, who selected him for the award by a majority vote.
“I am honored to receive this award from the Brazil Chamber in Japan,” said Ghosn. “It is a reaffirmation of my view that differences between people and cultures can be a source of strength, of potential wealth and opportunity, just as these elements have become driving factors in the growth of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.”
Nissan’s commitment to building economic relations between Brazil and Japan is exemplified by the opening of a new plant in Resende, Rio de Janeiro, in April 2014. This automotive complex will eventually have a production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and 200,000 engines per year, employ 2,000 staff, and be a key production hub for Nissan’s business development in Latin America. Nissan aims to become the number one Japanese automotive brand in Brazil by 2016.
Brazil has also been a key market for Renault, Nissan’s Alliance partner. Brazil has been the Renault Group’s second-largest market for the past three years. Last year, Renault inaugurated the expansion of the Curitiba plant, and plans to create a new logistics center in Quatro Barras, that will help to continue this momentum.
In Japan, Nissan is working to support the well being of the Brazilian community. In 2014, under a program led by the Consulate-General of Brazil in Tokyo, the company helped fund the employment of a Portuguese-speaking counselor for community outreach programs. Nissan also welcomed 160 students of a Brazilian school in Japan to tour its Oppama Plant and take part in the Waku-Waku Eco School, where they learned about the company’s approach to global environmental issues and its green technology.
These projects, and others around the world, are part of Nissan’s commitment under its Blue Citizenship CSR platform to make a positive impact on society and give something back to the community in every market it serves.
