In the near future, as Renault’s executive vice president for Asian and African operations, Nakamura has taken on a new mission that signals a strategic shift for the French automaker. He recently confirmed that Renault is planning to establish a factory in China, marking a significant step toward deeper market integration.
Although Nakamura has not officially stepped down from his role as president of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., he now serves as the designated executive vice president overseeing Renault’s Asia and Africa operations. This new position has given him a clearer focus on what he calls the “Reno China mission.†During a recent exclusive interview, despite questions about his previous roles at Dongfeng and Dongfeng Nissan, Nakamura was open and candid. However, the central theme of their conversation revolved around Renault’s brand presence in China—how it can be strengthened and how Renault can grow its footprint in this key market.
Nakamura emphasized that Renault’s move into China is not a threat or a substitute for existing partnerships, but rather a long-term vision. He admitted, “My greatest wish is to continue working in China or return to Nissan headquarters. I never expected to be assigned to France by Carlos Ghosn, and I still know very little about Renault cars.†Despite this, he remained clear in his stance: “When the conditions are ripe, Renault will certainly enter the Chinese market!†Importantly, this doesn’t mean just selling imported cars—it means setting up joint ventures in the country.
In mid-March, Nissan and Renault announced that Nakamura would resign from his positions as president of Dongfeng Limited and Renault Automotive Executive Vice President. In 2007, Renault saw a recovery in vehicle sales, showing signs of growth. At this time, the Renault-Nissan Alliance appointed Nakamura as the executive vice president for Asia-Africa operations, reporting directly to Carlos Ghosn. The decision reflects confidence in Renault’s potential in these regions, particularly in China, where there is still significant room for expansion.
Nakamura has spent five years gaining valuable experience in the Chinese market through his work with Dongfeng. His tenure has allowed him to build strong relationships with local partners and understand the unique dynamics of the Chinese automotive industry. This background makes him an ideal candidate to lead Renault’s push into the region.
In June 2004, during a visit to Beijing by former Renault CEO Louis Schweitzer, discussions were held with government officials and Dongfeng Motor leaders about a potential partnership. The plan included launching a joint venture called Dongfeng Renault, aiming to produce vehicles starting in 2006. The goal was to scale up production to 300,000 units annually, with the Megane as the first model. However, despite Renault's growth in other regions like South America, the Middle East, and India, progress on the Chinese project stalled over the years.
By 2007, Renault sold 191,669 vehicles in Asia and Africa, but this figure fell short compared to Dongfeng Nissan’s performance. In China alone, Renault managed only 2,300 sales, which highlighted the challenges the brand faced in one of the world’s largest automotive markets. With the need for stronger growth in the Asia-Pacific region, Nakamura’s experience and connections with Dongfeng made him a natural choice to lead the charge.
Nakamura openly shared that his most satisfying achievement during his five-year tenure at Dongfeng was building a stable and effective communication relationship with the company. He explained that Dongfeng is a large joint venture with over 70,000 employees, while Nissan only had around 100 staff members. Without a solid relationship, the partnership could suffer. His efforts helped ensure smoother collaboration between the two companies.
As Renault looks ahead, Nakamura’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to the Chinese market. With his deep understanding of the local environment and strong ties with Dongfeng, he is well-positioned to drive Renault’s growth in one of the most competitive automotive markets in the world.
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