THERE’S never any room for complacency in our business.
Working in the automotive sector has been particularly challenging over the past few years and it has required constant effort from all of us to stay focused, ensure we’re one step ahead of the competition, and exceed our customers’ expectations.
However, today, we do deserve to catch our breath for a few moments and reflect on a job well done – particularly during the recently concluded 2012 financial year.
As you may have read elsewhere on Nissan Insider today, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd has been announced as the winner of the 2013 Global Award.
Today I was delighted to accept the congratulations of Executive Vice President Takao Katagiri, who wrote to notify me of our award from his office in Japan.
He told me we had over-achieved across the crucial areas of new car sales, market share and customer satisfaction.
And I was particularly delighted when I read his description of us as one of ‘the best of the best’.
Quite simply, praise doesn’t come any higher. You don’t need me to tell you that Nissan globally is a massive – and very successful – company.
So for the UK arm of the operation to be described in such a way makes me immensely proud.
And every single person who works for Nissan in the UK can feel the same way, from the people working at our record-breaking Sunderland factory; our head office in Hertfordshire; our technical and design centres; and of course, the people without whom there would be no Nissan Motor (GB), the network of dealerships across the UK.
Creating products
As Global Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn has said: ‘The power comes from inside.’
His point is that any company is only as strong as the people who bring it to life. Companies do not create products, deliver services or solve problems; people do.
And it is those people – in this case each and every one of you who works for Nissan in the UK – who deserve a huge pat on the back today for a job well done.
I repeat: Today we’ve been described as ‘the best of the best’. And I couldn’t be more delighted.