Ghosn's Dismissal at Nissan Shifts Balance of Power in Auto Alliance
- Removal paves way for protege Saikawa to consolidate power
- Renault partnership likely to be strained by Ghosn’s absence
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Carlos Ghosn was dismissed as Nissan Motor Co. chairman three days after his arrest on allegations of financial misconduct, marking a stunning fall from grace for an executive who had gained a cult-like status leading a global car alliance.
Nissan’s board voted unanimously to remove the manager from his post, it said after a meeting that lasted into the Tokyo evening. At the same time, the panel pledged continuity by saying its alliance with Renault SA won’t change. But in ousting Ghosn, the Japanese side chose a more aggressive path than their French partner, which had opted earlier to appoint only an interim leader for Ghosn’s post and had asked Nissan to do the same.