Raoul Picello has been appointed Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for Infiniti Motor Company, effective October 1, 2016.

Picello, 53, currently Vice President of Sales for Nissan in Europe, succeeds François Goupil de Bouille, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Picello will be based in Infiniti’s European headquarters in Rolle, Switzerland, and report to Infiniti President Roland Krueger.

Picello joined Nissan Europe in 2012 as Managing Director of Nissan Iberia. A year later, he was appointed to his current position. 

Krueger said: “Raoul Picello joins Infiniti at a pivotal moment as we are in the middle of a major product offensive. Our Q30 and QX30 compact vehicles have been well received in Europe and beyond. With the all-new Q60 sports coupe, the new 3.0 twin-turbo V6 and other highly innovative technologies, Infiniti carries further momentum. Raoul’s experience of more than 25 years in sales and marketing in the automobile industry will further support our growth ambitions. 

“Also, I would like to take the opportunity to thank François Goupil de Bouille for his long years of service with Nissan and Infiniti. He has successfully launched the all new Q30 and QX30 in Europe and the team wishes him well for his next steps in life.”

Infiniti Motor Company is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the US, UK and China.  Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.