The automotive industry has long been a fundamental part of global economies, driving technological advancements, engineering, and consumer mobility. With a constant push toward innovation, the sector has transitioned from traditional combustion engines to alternative energy solutions, integrating digital connectivity and automation into vehicle design. Sustainability and efficiency have become primary concerns, influencing manufacturers to develop electric and hybrid models while improving safety and performance. Changing consumer preferences, regulatory frameworks, and technological advancements shape the industry’s direction, ensuring automakers remain agile and forward-thinking in meeting modern demands.
Marios Barkis, as the Automotive Division Director, characterizes a forward-thinking leadership approach that aligns with the growing nature of the industry. His dedication to understanding automotive operations’ technical and commercial aspects has allowed him to build a well-rounded perspective on market trends and consumer expectations. Through a people-centric leadership style, he prioritizes team development, ensuring that professionals under his guidance have the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in a fast-changing business environment. His strategic mindset enables him to effectively address emerging challenges, from technological shifts to fluctuating market conditions, positioning himself as a leader who understands the present and actively shapes the future.
Nissan has established itself as a reputable name in the automotive industry, popular for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With a decades-long heritage, the company has continuously adapted to industry shifts, advancing vehicle electrification and mobility solutions. Its focus on sustainability and innovative technology has resulted in the development of electric and hybrid models, redefining how consumers perceive automotive efficiency. As competition intensifies and market dynamics progress, Nissan remains dedicated to maintaining its reputation for reliability and forward-thinking design, ensuring its offerings align with customers’ changing needs worldwide.
In this exclusive interview, Marios shares valuable insights from his tenure in the automotive industry.
Marios, can you share the key milestones of your career journey that led you to your current role as Automotive Division Director at Nissan?
Automotive has always been a great passion of mine. My first car was a Sunbeam Alpine 1964 (the same model as the one in the James Bond OO7 movie Doctor No) that I fully restored on my own. Therefore, it was no surprise that I chose the academic field of Mechanical Engineering for my university studies. And here comes the big one (milestone) of my career. Soon after my graduation, I was lucky enough to start my studies at NIC. J. THEOCARAKIS S.A. (NJT). NJT is the oldest partner and Distributor of Nissan in Europe (since 1961), and for almost 15 years, NJT operated a CKD factory in Greece for Nissan. I started in the Sales Department, and in the following years, I undertook various positions in Sales, Marketing and Quality Control, so I practically had the opportunity to get familiar with all aspects of the business. In 2013, I assumed the position of Commercial Director, and in 2023, I became the Automotive Division Director overseeing all functions in Sales and After Sales for our complete Automotive portfolio. So not only have I been lucky enough to land in the Automotive industry at the beginning of my professional life, but also within a Company that gave me the space, the training, the product variety, and the challenges even, in order to become your interviewee today (if I am aloud the humour of it).
What responsibilities do you find most rewarding as the Automotive Division Director at Nissan?
You know that for front-line people, sales are always the holy grail and what keeps the wheels turning. However, during the last few years, we have been challenged by severe turbulences of various kinds. Global financial and health crises, structural changes in the automotive mindset, applied technologies, and uncertainties in local countries are also causing problems. Adjusting the operations, the organization and the people’s approach to overcoming all of the above has become the most important and rewarding task.
How do you approach leading a team to achieve business objectives in a highly competitive automotive market?
People’s requirements are, most of the time, very simple and straightforward. Respect for their time, clear and understandable tasks and targets, recognition of their work and fair appraisal. I am also a firm believer that training should be an ongoing procedure in any field and, therefore, make sure my people always learn new things and are given opportunities through task rotation. Nissan Greece has always been anthropocentric, and so am I. And I am happy to say that on many occasions, our reputation on the subject has led very competent people literally to our doorstep.
What qualities do you believe are essential for success in leadership roles in the automotive sector?
Leadership in the Automotive sector requires a higher level of product and technology familiarity and understanding, if not in-depth knowledge, as most high-tech products. Today, more than ever, the balance between emotional and rational attributes during the choice of a new vehicle has shifted more to the rational part. Enzo Ferrari designed and produced “dreams”, whereas Elon Musk produces “mobility solutions”. Consequently, contemporary Automotive Leaders must adopt and embrace a new approach regarding customers aspiration and needs.
But as our sector faces some new challenges in today’s world, I believe we should also be adaptive, possess a combination of strategic and operational capabilities, and be far more influential and persuasive. The reality of our industry today includes more tight regulation, new and aggressive players, unfamiliar technologies, and problems of global concern. So, the people leading the industry must be more than innovative technocrats and develop more sophisticated skills to cope with what lays ahead.
How do you balance your professional responsibilities and personal life?
With a lot of mingling and prioritization. I admit that nowadays, balance is much easier than it was 7-8 years ago when my family was younger, but in full honesty, I will say that I have had a great support system right there in my family. Even back then, though, I did not exclude one from the other under a time schedule. I prefer to prioritize depending on timing and conditions. So, I would answer a business call during my vacation as I would also reply to my kids call during a business meeting. And this is one great example of being open minded and adaptable as I should as a contemporary leader.
How do you stay updated with trends and innovations in the automotive and wholesale industries?
In the era of information, the main concern is not how to find the information but how to identify what is useful and accurate. We need to be updated on the 360-degree spectrum. We must follow the technological innovations presented in international conferences and over the internet, closely follow the competition and market leaders, but at the same time keep visiting the “front line,” in our case, showrooms and service shops. I believe the latter is very crucial as new trends must be driven and originate from customers’ needs, and once translated correctly, these needs may often drive the new trends rather than just be met.
I also maintain with much enthusiasm a few dear people, very much into the heart of the industry, in a friendly circle. We will, from time to time, meet and openly discuss whatever issue is common, either troubling or simply looking to bring new perspectives to it. And I can say that this healthy approach to having peers is not only entertaining but also very constructive for us all.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals aiming for leadership roles in the automotive or wholesale industries?
I’d suggest building your teams on a foundation of sincerity, integrity, and confidence, ensuring a strong and trustworthy work environment. Establish your networks—including partners, industry colleagues, suppliers, and customers—based on principles of honesty, mutual support, and fairness. Maintain an open-minded and adaptable approach to new ideas and perspectives. Continuously seek opportunities to learn new concepts and develop valuable skills for both personal and professional growth.
What future goals or initiatives are you most excited to pursue in your role at Nissan?
Nissan in Greece enjoys a high level of acceptance, respect and trustworthiness. The reputation of Nissan was built over more than 6 decades on the quality and affordability of its models. In a continuously changing and competitive environment, “good” quality is considered standard, and the perception of “affordability” is changing as we move from ownership to users. We must change our focus to “good services” more than “good vehicles”. Nissan was the pioneer in vehicle electrification, launching LEAF in 2009 as the world’s first mass-market electric and zero-emission vehicle.
Nissan is pursuing its pioneer role in electrification with new technologies like e-Power and the introduction of new full electric Micra and Leaf. Innovative technologies are embedded in new vehicles at a fast pace that consumers may not adopt easily. Looking forward, we need to become more customer-centric, educating consumers on the real benefits of technology in their everyday journey and environment.
