Women’s Talent in the Production of the 2026 Nissan Sentra

The automotive industry continues to evolve into more diverse models within strategic areas such as engineering and manufacturing. Nissan presented the development of the new 2026 Nissan Sentra as a prime example of how technical management, in conjunction with industrial coordination, is advancing under more integrated leadership models.

During the 2026 edition of Women on Wheels—a company initiative that promotes the visibility of female talent in the sector—the role of multidisciplinary teams in the development of vehicles with global reach was highlighted, as well as the participation of specialized professionals in industrial decision-making.

“Women’s leadership is already part of strategic projects within the automotive industry. With Women on Wheels, we have created a space to recognize this progress and open up more opportunities in key areas of the sector,” said Luciana Herrmann, Regional Director of Corporate Communications at Nissan Latin America.

Ileana Lopez was in charge of coordinating the development of the 2026 Nissan Sentra, ensuring the integration of engineering, validation, and manufacturing processes in accordance with global standards; in the role of Seisan Shutan (Production Manager), she was responsible for the industrial preparation and launch of production for the model.

Ileana led the coordination of processes such as prototype validation, integration of production equipment, and alignment with global technical requirements. The project involved coordinating 14 leaders and more than 90 specialists across various areas, as well as collaboration with international engineering teams.

As part of the process, she spent six months in Japan conducting technical work focused on installing production equipment and standardizing processes for implementation in Mexico.
“Leading the complete development of a vehicle represents one of the greatest challenges in automotive engineering. It is a responsibility that demands preparation, teamwork, and confidence in the talent of those participating in the project,” Lopez shared.