Mover & Shaker: Juan Wheeler

Juan Wheeler has been appointed Managing Director of Nissan South Africa in addition to his current role as Chief Financial Officer of Nissan Africa.

Announcing the appointment, Jordi Vila, Divisional Vice President Nissan Europe & President Nissan Africa, AMIEO Aftersales and Customer Experience, said Wheeler was the perfect candidate to lead Nissan South Africa and build on its proud 60-year legacy in the country.

Wheeler began his career as a State Accountant for South Africa’s Department of Foreign Affairs before joining the automotive industry as an accountant with Ford Motor Company. He spent six years there in a variety of different financial roles learning the industry before moving to Volvo in 2003 as Finance and Warranty Manager, where he was exposed to the dealer side of the automotive business. Returning to Ford, he went to Thailand, spending two years in Bangkok and then two years in Shanghai in China, where he was responsible for the region’s B-segment vehicles and forward model planning.

Wheeler moved to Jakarta in Indonesia as Finance Director for four years before spending a year in Vietnam where he was responsible for Ford’s manufacturing operation too.

His next appointment was as Ford’s Sales Finance Manager for the Middle East, based in Dubai. He returned to South Africa in 2018 to take up a position as CFO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), becoming CFO of Stellantis SA in 2021 following the merger of FCA and PSA. He joined Nissan Africa as Chief Financial Officer in 2025.

Nissan Africa Managing Director, Mohamed Abd El Samad, said Wheeler’s experience stood him in good stead for his new assignment. “Juan is a veteran not just of the South African automotive industry but globally, with extensive experience that spans back office to manufacturing and sales across multiple continents.

“I look forward to working even more closely with him in this expanded role as Nissan Africa continues to unlock the potential that exists in this continent.”

Wheeler said he was immensely honoured by the appointment and the faith shown in him.

“Nissan is an incredible company with a wonderful legacy. Some of my earliest automotive memories involve Nissan vehicles, in which I travelled the length and the breadth of this country. It is a great privilege to now be asked to lead this same company in South Africa as we embark upon our next exciting chapter.”