Automotive

Nashville, TN--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - PRNewswire)--January 17, 2008--Victor Nacif, Vice President of Design Business Aspects for Nissan Design America, was honored as Latin-American Executive of the Year at the 12th annual Urban Wheels Awards yesterday at the Fox Theater in Detroit, Michigan. Nacif was selected for the award for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the automobile industry.

"Victor is a shining example of outstanding accomplishments in the area of diversity within our automobile industry," said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Sr. Manager of Philanthropy and Diversity Communications for Nissan North America, Inc. "As an international corporation, we're committed to diversity because we're committed to excellence, and Victor truly represents this sentiment."

The Urban Wheel Awards, which take place during press week of the North American International Auto Show, are meant to spotlight the companies and executives responsible for innovation or services of interest to urban and ethnic car buyers.

Nacif, of Mexican, Lebanese, and Iraqi descent, migrated to the U.S. as a child and quickly became fluent in English. At age 17 he earned a scholarship with Ford Motor Company and became the first designer with consecutive internships at their design studio. Today, Nacif leverages his designs talents and skills at Nissan Design America with wisdom from his automotive diversity experience, using it all to remove obstacles, inefficiencies and create better ways of working.

Nacif is also an active presence in Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Nacif often speaks about his support of child safety seats and emphasizes the importance of safe driving.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at http://www.NissanUSA.com and http://www.nissandriven.com / http://www.infiniti.com.