Car Design News caught up with global SVP of design, Alfonso Albaisa, during his whistle-stop tour of London to see Nissan’s European design studio in early November 2022. Highlights of the free-flowing one-to-one chat included product diversity, sustainability and circularity and why he might be game for some heritage-inspired cars. Read on for our world exclusive.

Car Design News: How is it being back in London at your European studio?

Alfonso Albaisa: It’s such a wonderful space where many cars were born including the Juke and Qashqai.v

CDN: Having a London studio must give you a different perspective. Only Nissan and SAIC have permanent design spaces here?

AA: The company understands that and senior management use it as a base when they come here to do their government stuff. It’s not just a design centre. Matt [Weaver, European design VP] works with us on all our global and regional projects and also Renault ones. Because of London’s proximity to Paris the synergy is good. If this studio was in another place it would be a little bit more difficult. I came from Paris and Renault just yesterday. 

CDN: How is the currently slightly fractious Nissan relationship with Renault Mitsubishi affecting design?