“We are embracing the need to be daring, so daring we will be”: Matthew Weaver on his promotion to design director

Last week, Car Design News reported that Matthew Weaver will be taking over from Alfonso Albaisa as design director for Nissan on the 1 October 2026. After 25 years at the company, Weaver is an exemplary replacement for Albaisa, known best for projects such as the Juke and Qashqai and, most recently, the electric Micra.

As for who will be replacing Weaver in his current role, CDN has been told to expect a reorganisation announcement in the coming months. In the meantime, N got the opportunity to catch up with Weaver to discover what we can expect from the future of Nissan design under his leadership.

Car Design News: What does this promotion mean to you?

Matthew Weaver: I have worked for Nissan for nearly quarter of a century and in that time, I had the pleasure to work with Alfonso Albaisa and Shiro Nakamura, both of whom I deeply admire along with their design visions. To follow in their footsteps as the global lead for Nissan’s design team is a great honour and very humbling. The automotive industry is going through unprecedented disruption – electrification, the advent of autonomous drive and software defined vehicles – so it’s both an exciting and challenging time. But Nissan’s global design team is exceptional and they will embrace the challenges and opportunities that we face with daring and characterful design.

CDN: What excites you about this role?

MW: One thing I love about this company is its diversity, in cultures, in customers and in the products we make. To cover a wider perspective with that diversity will give me more insights and energy. Within the company we are embracing the need to be daring, so daring we will be. What more could a designer want?

CDN: What will your new responsibilities be?

MW: My main responsibility is to ensure character and colour rather than dull and grey.  

I see this role as an enabler for the creative teams to flex their creative muscles and punch freely.  Formally I am responsible for all Nissan and Infiniti products, as well as working with our other divisions like Nismo and our partners and join ventures.

CDN: Why is it valuable for design to directly report to the CEO?

MW:  In Nissan, we have always placed design as a key component of success and, Ivan Espinosa, our CEO, is almost part of the design team. He is an authentic car guy and was responsible for product planning before becoming CEO. He has been involved in every design decision meeting for the last eight years or so. He and Alfonso built a bridge of understanding which in turn means our CEO is design literate! The value is twofold, quick and informed decision-making and that design can stand independently particularly when articulating its point of view. 

Change at Nissan: Albaisa to retire; Weaver succeeds

Matthew Weaver will be Nissan's next design director when Alfonso Albaisa retires later this year

Freddie Holmes