Nissan’s Unlikely CEO Guides Car Maker in Post-Ghosn Era

Nissan’s Unlikely CEO Guides Car Maker in Post-Ghosn Era

Makoto Uchida discusses confronting shareholder skepticism on his appointment and leading company through pandemic

Makoto Uchida was the dark horse in the race to be Nissan Motor Co.’s latest chief executive officer.

When Carlos Ghosn ruled the Japanese auto maker, few saw Mr. Uchida on the shortlist of future Nissan leaders. Then came Mr. Ghosn’s arrest in November 2018 and, less than a year later, the ouster of his successor.

People familiar with the deliberations said the top contenders at that point couldn’t win a majority of Nissan’s fractious board, which includes…