UPDATE: Infiniti Chief Meunier Quits to Head Jeep

Christian Meunier—who took over as chairman and president of Nissan Motor Co.’s Infiniti luxury brand in January—has stepped down to become president of Fiat Chrysler Automobile NV’s Jeep brand, effective immediately.

Nissan says Christian Vandenhende, its chief quality officer, will serve as acting head of Infiniti until a new brand chief is selected.

Meunier (pictured) will report to FCA CEO Mike Manley, who ran the Jeep brand before replacing the late Sergio Marchionne at the helm of FCA in July.

Meunier’s career at Nissan began in Europe in 2002. He had been vice president in charge of Infiniti’s global sales and market team when he was named to head the Infiniti unit. In March, the brand confirmed reports it is withdrawing from the European market in 2020 to focus its efforts on China and the U.S.

Nissan says Meunier’s departure is unrelated to an expanding exodus of foreign high-level executives at the company following the arrest of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn in November on charges of financial wrongdoing.