(Yicai Global) July 27 -- Dongfeng Motor Group has appointed a new executive to lead its half of the carmaking joint venture it runs with Japan’s Nissan Motor Corp.

Gao Guolin will replace Chen Hao as deputy general manager of Dongfeng Nissan, Dongfeng Motor said yesterday. Gao has previously held senior management roles in both Wuhan, central Hubei province-based Dongfeng Motor and the JV.

Gao will also serve as vice president of Dongfeng Motor, while Chen will become executive vice president, it added. Chen will also serve as vice president of the group's parent firm Dongfeng Motor Corp.

Chen joined Dongfeng Nissan when it was first set up in 2003 and rose gradually up the ranks to deputy general manager. He presided over a period when the JV’s sales exceeded one million vehicles a year and was promoted to vice president of Dongfeng Motor last year.

Dongfeng Motor sold 3.5 million vehicles last year, almost a third of which were made by Dongfeng Nissan.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Kim Taylor