Amid tension with Renault, Nissan fails to replace Ghosn

Tokyo, December 17

The Board of automaker Nissan failed on Monday to agree a replacement for former chairman Carlos Ghosn after his arrest for financial misconduct, as tensions grow in the firm's alliance with Renault. The Japanese company removed Ghosn from his post last month after he was detained on allegations of under-reporting his salary. But it failed on Monday to name a replacement, with CEO Hiroto Saikawa saying a committee advising the Board on the decision needed more time. "It was decided that the committee wishes to continue discussions, we accepted that," he told a press conference after the Board met in Yokohama. Media reports ahead of the meeting suggested the Board was unlikely to reach a decision soon, in part because of open discord with French automaker Renault. Nissan itself faces charges of allegedly submitting financial documents that understated Ghosn's pay, and Renault is now reportedly seeking more sway on the Japanese firm's Board. AFP