Clíodhna Lyons is a visionary leader in the automotive and mobility space, driving growth and market expansion at Nissan across Europe, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. With over 20 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in strategy, electrification, and global market development.
Fresh off of last week’s incredible Top Women in EV campaign, we’re catching up with Clíodhna as a representative of one of the key Sector Day Partners who helped make it possible. We dive into her journey in the automotive industry, the challenges and opportunities in EV adoption, and how the sector can evolve to better serve diverse customers worldwide.
Do you drive an EV? If so, what model do you drive and why?
Yes! I drive a Nissan ARIYA and I love it. The instant acceleration and smooth drive offered by the ARIYA are unbeatable! We use it as a family car and the last two Summers have undertaken road trips around Europe in our ARIYA, covering thousands of kilometers. We’ve never had a problem with range or charging – quite the opposite. Bringing the car to local charging points has led us to discover some beautiful spots during our trip that we may not have otherwise visited.
What initially drew you to work in the automotive, and specifically emobility, sector?
I studied engineering and was always drawn by the car industry – it is a complex industry from so many angles and that is what keeps me interested all these years later.
Nissan has been an integral manufacturer in the electric vehicle sector, having bought one of the first mainstream modern EVs to the market. What are some of the key challenges you’ve had to overcome as an executive leader in this pioneering space?
Being the first to bring an EV, the Nissan LEAF, to the mass market really has given us an advantage due to the experiences and learnings we have gathered over so many years. We have great customer insights of what works and what doesn’t work, and we have been able to embed that experience into our future product and technology plans. We also know that some barriers for customers remain at the time of EV purchase consideration, namely range and charging infrastructure. In Product Planning, we are focused on removing those barriers, especially range. We work with others across the business to develop vehicles and innovations that make EVs more accessible and give people the confidence they need to make the switch.
Given your oversight of Nissan AMIEO’s mid-to-long-term product strategies, can you provide any insight into how dramatically the automotive industry has changed since the popularisation of EVs?
AMIEO is a wonderfully diverse region. The pace of electrification is also diverse across the region. This adds complexity as not all customers are ready to jump to EVs just yet, which is why our unique e-POWER technology is so successful as it gives the benefits of an EV – electric drive feel and acceleration – without the need to plug in. As electrified technologies become more popular, this pushes the whole automotive industry to innovate. For example, battery chemistry breakthroughs, redefinition of supply chains, new body types and vehicle design emerging. It’s really an exciting time as we move to a new era of mobility!
As a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, how has your perspective helped to shape your brand and corporate strategies?
I believe that diverse voices and opinions always contribute to unleashing the potential of an organisation. This is certainly the case in Nissan, where we actively work on ensuring an inclusive culture where all voices are respected and heard.
Auto Trader insights revealed that one-fifth of women have considered buying an EV, compared to one-third of men. In your opinion, what does the industry need to do to address this gap?
As the market started to shift to EV, it was logical to focus marketing on the new technology EVs bring. However, we know that technology is a low priority for women at the time of purchase. Therefore, I believe it’s time to update our messaging, talking to those items that women prioritize at time of purchase like safety and cost of ownership. Communication channels also need to be revaluated to ensure information about a vehicle or technology is landing in the places where women are doing their research – men and women don’t always look to the same sources ahead of purchase.
As an active advocate for women and diversity in STEM, what do you believe companies across the tech and automotive industries can do to encourage more gender diversity in their teams and hiring processes?
A holistic approach is needed, in my opinion. From inclusive wording in job descriptions during recruitment processes all the way to representation at Board level – which is a powerful and visible message on a company’s stance. Gender diversity is not just a social priority, it’s proven to give business advantage making it a driver of long-term success.
What would you say to any women considering a career in the emobility sector?
Don’t hesitate! It’s an exciting, fast-paced and mentally stimulating industry. We are living through a transformational time, making it a great moment to join and shape the future of mobility for generations to come.
Thank you to Clíodhna and the team at Nissan for this insightful catch-up and their incredible support of the Top Women in EV campaign. It’s been a pleasure reflecting on the industry’s progress and future with one of the leaders shaping it. Stay tuned as we continue celebrating the brilliant women driving change in emobility!
