Nissan Motor's new CEO will start from a tight spot. Japan's struggling $10 billion automaker on Tuesday announced an insider, Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa, will replace Makoto Uchida. The change at the top is welcome.

TOKYO -- Japanese automaker Nissan's chief executive, Makoto Uchida, is stepping down after the company reported dismal financial results and its merger talks with Honda collapsed. Nissan Motor Corp. said in a statement Tuesday that Ivan Espinosa, who is now the company’s chief planning officer, will take Uchida’s place, effective April 1.

Nissan said in a statement Tuesday that Ivan Espinosa, who is now the company’s chief planning officer, will take Makoto Uchida’s place.

Chief Executive Makoto Uchida is stepping down, with Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa taking the helm of the Japanese carmaker.

Talks of a merger between Honda and Nissan could resume following Makoto Uchida's replacement as CEO by current Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa.

A leadership shakeup at Nissan could revive stalled merger talks with Honda, as the struggling automaker weighs its future.

Nissan on Tuesday named chief planning officer Ivan Espinosa to take the helm from April 1, marking the end to weeks of speculation over who would succeed Makoto Uchida as leader of the troubled Japanese carmaker Nissan made the announcement in a statement,