Renault-Nissan executives will try this week to protect their joint operations from a looming power struggle between the automakers, after alliance boss Carlos Ghosn’s arrest in Japan over alleged financial misconduct.
Top executives from both manufacturers and third partner Mitsubishi are going to attend mid-week operations committee meetings in Amsterdam that had been planned prior Ghosn’s November 19 detention in Japan, the companies confirmed.
“There is no modification in our alliance relationship,” a Mitsubishi spokesman stated.
While Nissan and 43.4 percent-owner Renault have pledged to safeguard the partnership, the Japanese automaker’s Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa also made clear he aims to end its French parent’s control of the alliance, as he moved swiftly to remove Ghosn as chairman.
Ghosn, 64, and alleged co-conspirator Greg Kelly, a fellow Nissan director, both reject allegations that they under-reported Ghosn’s compensation, misrepresented automaker’s investments and made personal use of company funds, Japanese broadcaster NHK informed.
Renault has refrained from removing Ghosn as chairman and CEO, while demanding that Nissan share findings from the months-long internal probe that resulted in his arrest. Duties of Ghosn have been delegated to second-in-command Thierry Bollore and board director Philippe Lagayette.
