Nissan vs Porsche: Founders, CEOs and History
Nissan was founded in 1933 by Yoshisuke Aikawa, William Gorham, Masujiro Hashimoto and is led by Ivan Espinosa. Porsche was founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, Ferry Porsche and is led by Michael Leiters.
Company facts
Founders
Nissan
Yoshisuke Aikawa
Yoshisuke Aikawa founded the massive Nissan zaibatsu in the 1920s. Recognizing the absolute critical importance of the rapidly growing automotive industry, he consolidated several smaller motor companies (including DAT Motors) into Nissan Motor Co.
William Gorham
William Gorham was an American engineer who moved to Japan and played an absolutely vital role in the founding of Nissan.
Masujiro Hashimoto
Masujiro Hashimoto founded the Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works in 1911, which produced the 'DAT' car.
Rokuro Aoyama
Rokuro Aoyama was one of the three primary financial backers (alongside Den and Takeuchi) of Hashimoto's original company, providing the 'A' in the 'DAT' acronym.
Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) founded Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH in Stuttgart in 1931 as a design consultancy. The office designed the Auto Union Grand Prix cars and the Volkswagen Beetle.
Ferry Porsche
Ferry Porsche (1909-1998) built the 356, the first car sold under the Porsche name, in 1948 and led the company as it became a sports-car manufacturer, overseeing the launch of the 911 in 1963.
CEOs and their tenures
Nissan
- Katsuji Kawamata1957–1973
President & Chairman
Transformed Nissan from a domestic Japanese producer into an international export leader.
Source - Carlos Ghosn1999–2017
Executive Officer & CEO
Rescued Nissan from imminent bankruptcy and built the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi global alliance.
Source - Hiroto Saikawa2017–2019
Chief Executive Officer
Hiroto Saikawa served as chief executive of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. from 2017 to 2019.
Source - Makoto Uchida2019–2025
Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO
Returned Nissan to profit after the pandemic, but stepped down in March 2025 after results collapsed in FY2024 and merger talks with Honda failed.
Source - Ivan Espinosa2025–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mexican-born former chief planning officer who succeeded Makoto Uchida as CEO on April 1, 2025. Launched the Re:Nissan cost and restructuring plan and led Nissan back to a quarterly operating profit in Q1 FY2026.
Source
Porsche
- Ferry Porsche1944–1972
Chief Executive Officer
Ferry Porsche served as chief executive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG from 1944 to 1972.
Source - Ernst Fuhrmann1972–1980
Chief Executive Officer
Ernst Fuhrmann served as chief executive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG from 1972 to 1980.
Source - Peter Schutz1981–1987
Chief Executive Officer
Peter Schutz served as chief executive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG from 1981 to 1987.
Source - Heinz Branitzki1988–1990
Chief Executive Officer
Heinz Branitzki served as chief executive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG from 1988 to 1990.
Source - Arno Bohn1990–1992
Chief Executive Officer
Arno Bohn served as chief executive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG from 1990 to 1992.
Source - Wendelin Wiedeking1993–2009
Chairman of the Executive Board
He made Porsche highly profitable, then led a failed attempt to take over Volkswagen and left in July 2009.
Source - Michael Macht2009–2010
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Macht served as chief executive of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG from 2009 to 2010.
Source - Matthias Muller2010–2015
Chairman of the Executive Board
Porsche sales passed 200,000 cars a year under him. He left in September 2015 to lead Volkswagen Group and Oliver Blume succeeded him.
Source - Dr. Oliver Blume2015–2025
Chairman of the Executive Board (CEO)
Blume's tenure covered record results in 2022-2023, the Taycan launch and the 2022 IPO. The EV-heavy plan set under him proved costly, and the 2025 reversal left his successor a turnaround.
Source - Dr. Jochen Breckner2025–present
Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT (CFO)
Oversees cost reduction and cash flow during the 2026 reset; H1 2026 automotive net cash flow was about $1.15 billion (EUR1.02 billion).
Source - Dr. Michael Leiters2026–present
Chairman of the Executive Board (CEO)
He took over after 2025 operating profit fell to ~$467 million (EUR413 million). In 2026 he has pursued a 'value over volume' plan, a 'Future Package' with about $2.37 billion (EUR2.1 billion) of site investment through 2035 and roughly 5,000 job reductions by…
Source
Timeline: Nissan and Porsche side by side
1914Nissan
Creation of the DAT Car: Masujiro Hashimoto creates the DAT passenger car at Kaishinsha in Tokyo, establishing the engineering roots of Datsun and Nissan.
1931Porsche
Porsche Engineering Office Founded
Ferdinand Porsche founded the engineering consultancy in Stuttgart.
1933Nissan
Founding of Jidosha Seizo in Yokohama: Yoshisuke Aikawa establishes Jidosha Seizo Co., Ltd. in Yokohama, renamed Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in 1934.
1948Porsche
Porsche 356 Built
Ferry Porsche led production of the first Porsche-branded sports car, using the rear-engine, air-cooled layout that would define the brand.
1958Nissan
Mobilgas Round Australia Trial Victory: Datsun 1000 captures class honors in the 10,000-mile endurance trial, launching Nissan's international export offensive.
1963Porsche
911 Introduced
Porsche introduced the 911, the model that became the brand's central sports-car icon and remains its defining product line today.
1966Nissan
Merger with Prince Motor Company: Nissan absorbs Prince Motor Company, acquiring top aeronautical engineering talent, royal coachbuilding prestige, and the well-known Skyline and Gloria nameplates.
1969Nissan
Launch of Datsun 240Z and Skyline GT-R: Nissan releases the affordable inline-six Datsun 240Z sports coupe in the US and the dual-overhead-cam Skyline 2000GT-R in Japan, shattering European performanc…
1989Nissan
Infiniti Luxury Division & R32 GT-R Debut: Nissan launches Infiniti in North America with the Q45 flagship sedan and revives the R32 Skyline GT-R featuring ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive.
1996Porsche
Boxster Launched
Porsche launched the Boxster in 1996.
1999Nissan
Formation of Renault-Nissan Alliance: Facing $20B in corporate debt, Nissan forms an equity alliance with Renault S.A.; Carlos Ghosn launches the Nissan Revival Plan to rescue the company.
2002Porsche
Cayenne Launch
The Cayenne SUV created a new profit engine and broadened Porsche's customer base beyond sports-car buyers.
2010Nissan
Commercialization of 100% Electric Nissan Leaf: Nissan releases the Leaf, creating the modern mass-market electric vehicle segment and selling over 650,000 units globally.
2012Porsche
Volkswagen Completes Takeover
Volkswagen completed its purchase of Porsche AG in August 2012.
2016Nissan
Acquisition of 34% Controlling Stake in Mitsubishi Motors: Nissan invests $2.2 billion to purchase a controlling 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, creating the three-way Alliance.
2019Porsche
Taycan Launch
Porsche launched the Taycan as its first dedicated battery-electric vehicle.
2020Nissan
Unveiling of Nissan NEXT Turnaround Plan: then-CEO Makoto Uchida unveils Nissan NEXT, rationalizing global capacity by 20% and focusing core investments on e-POWER and EVs.
2021Porsche
Acquired Bugatti Rimac (joint venture stake)
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche acquired Bugatti Rimac (joint venture stake).
2022Porsche
Porsche AG IPO
Porsche AG listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under CEO Oliver Blume, who simultaneously ran parent Volkswagen Group.
2024Nissan
Historic EV Collaboration with Honda: Nissan and Honda sign a strategic partnership to co-develop electric vehicle drive platforms, standardized core components, and automotive software OS.
2025Nissan
Honda merger talks end in February; Ivan Espinosa becomes CEO on April 1; Re:Nissan recovery plan announced in May.
2025Porsche
Profit Collapses on EV Writedown
Porsche reworked its EV-first product plan; full-year operating profit fell to ~$467 million (EUR413 million) on revenue of ~$41 billion (EUR36.27 billion), with China deliveries down 26%.
2026Nissan
FY2025 results show ~$80.4 billion (¥12.0 trillion) revenue and a ~$3.57 billion (¥533.1 billion) net loss; Q1 FY2026 operating profit returns to ~$522 million (¥77.9 billion).
2026Porsche
Michael Leiters Becomes CEO
Dr. Michael Leiters became Chairman of the Executive Board effective January 1, 2026, ending Oliver Blume's dual role running both Porsche and Volkswagen Group.
2026Porsche
H1 2026 Profit Recovery and Future Package
First-half operating profit rose 34% to ~$1.53 billion (EUR1.35 billion); Porsche outlined about $2.37 billion (EUR2.1 billion) of site investment and around 5,000 job reductions by the mid-2030s.
Acquisitions
Nissan
- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (34% Controlling Stake)2016$2.2B
- Mitsubishi Motors2016Undisclosed
- Prince Motor Company1966Undisclosed
Porsche
- Fazua2022Undisclosed
- Bugatti Rimac (joint venture stake)2021Undisclosed
Questions about Nissan vs Porsche
Who is the CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG?
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is led by Ivan Espinosa and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is led by Michael Leiters. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. founded vs Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG?
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG was founded in 1931 — 2 years before Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1933. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Nissan Motor Co., Ltd..
How many employees does Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. have compared to Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG?
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. employs approximately 120,079 people, while Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG employs approximately 41,780. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 120,079 employees, compared to Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG's 41,780. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG headquartered?
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is headquartered in Germany. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG?
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. was founded by Yoshisuke Aikawa, William Gorham, Masujiro Hashimoto, Rokuro Aoyama. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG was founded by Ferdinand Porsche, Ferry Porsche.
Which company has a longer operating history — Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. or Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG?
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG has been operating for approximately 95 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has been in operation for around 93 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Nissan vs Porsche overview