Nissan Oceania is set to appoint a new managing director, with Steve Milette taking over from Andrew Humberstone on April 1, 2026. Humberstone, who has led Nissan’s operations in Oceania since April 2024, will return to Europe for a senior role at the company’s regional headquarters in Paris, France.
Milette currently serves as the division vice president for dealer network development, customer resources, training, and customer experience at Nissan North America. His experience includes over five years leading the Canadian division, placing him in a strong position to navigate the challenges facing Nissan in Australia.
This leadership change comes amid a broader trend of executive turnover in the Australian automotive industry. Brands such as MG, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and Ford have already made significant changes at the top, reflecting a shifting landscape in the sector.
Under Humberstone’s management, Nissan Oceania experienced notable sales growth. In 2023, the company reported an impressive 48.6 percent increase in sales, driven largely by strong demand for the newly launched X-Trail SUV. Humberstone also oversaw the deployment of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid technology, introduced in 2022, and continued the local Warrior program for the Navara and Patrol, in collaboration with Melbourne-based Premcar.
Despite these achievements, Nissan has faced numerous challenges globally, leading to significant financial pressures. This has resulted in slower-than-expected product development and leadership changes. Sales growth for Nissan Australia slowed to 15 percent in 2024, while the overall market grew by only 0.3 percent. In 2025, the company experienced a sharp decline, with a 21.6 percent drop in sales, causing it to fall to 12th position in the market.
As Nissan looks to recover, it is set to launch a facelifted version of the X-Trail before April 2026. However, the current-generation model has been on the market for four years, as has the smaller Qashqai SUV, both facing increasing competition from newer models and brands entering the local market.
The forthcoming new-generation Navara, a rebadged Triton from alliance partner Mitsubishi, is expected to bolster sales as it arrives in showrooms. Last year, the outgoing Navara generation struggled against both established nameplates and newer entrants like the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon.
Among Nissan’s models, the Pathfinder SUV saw a significant increase in sales, rising 40 percent last year, although its total of 732 units sold was overshadowed by other large SUVs, including the discontinued Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
In a bid to comply with new regulations, Nissan Australia introduced the Ariya electric SUV last year, despite its delayed launch, which followed almost three years after its debut in the US market. Humberstone acknowledged that the timing of the Ariya’s introduction was influenced by the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) regulations that took effect on January 1, 2025.
Looking ahead, Nissan plans to launch an updated Qashqai e-Power alongside the refreshed X-Trail, although the discontinuation of purely petrol-powered versions has led to a price increase of more than $10,000 for the base model. Additionally, the company aims to roll out the new-generation Leaf electric vehicle later this year, along with the Y63 Patrol SUV, which has already been available in other markets since late 2024.
Meanwhile, alliance partners Renault and Mitsubishi are also encountering challenges in the Australian market, with Renault reporting a 17.8 percent decline in sales and Mitsubishi experiencing a 17.9 percent drop in 2025. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, Nissan’s new leadership will be pivotal in adapting to these changes and steering the brand toward a more prosperous future.
