Nissan Oceania has announced the appointment of Sriram (Sri) Padmanabhan as country head of Nissan New Zealand, effective 27 April 2026, with transition commencing 1 April. Sri will be based in Auckland and report to Steve Milette, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania.

Padmanabhan brings more than two decades of automotive industry experience across Sales and Network Development, Marketing, and Corporate Strategy, with senior leadership roles spanning Nissan Motor India, Nissan Motor Australia, and Ford Motor Company across Oceania, Asia Pacific, Europe and emerging markets.

He joins the New Zealand business from Nissan Motor India, where he led a future ready business transformation program, supporting three simultaneous new product launches. Prior to this, he served as Director of Marketing and Customer Experience for Nissan Oceania, leading the ‘Defy Ordinary’ brand direction and key product launches across the region.
Padmanabhan succeeds Jenni Martin who has chosen to step down from the role.

Steve Milette said, “Sri is a proven automotive leader with deep experience across brand, commercial, and dealer network development. He is well known to our team and our dealer partners across the Oceania region and brings the expertise, energy, and fresh perspective to strengthen Nissan's position in New Zealand.

I’m delighted to welcome Sri to the new role and thank Jenni for her valuable contribution and leadership during her time with Nissan. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.”