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Ousted Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn leaves Japan for Lebanon

BEIRUT/TOKYO — Ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was in his childhood home of Lebanon on Tuesday after fleeing what he said was a “rigged” justice system in Japan, raising questions about how one of the worldÂ’s most-recognized executives slipped away while on bail. GhosnÂ’s abrupt departure marks the latest dramatic twist in a year-old saga that has shaken the global auto industry, jeopardised the alliance of Nissan Motor Co Ltd and top shareholder Renault SA and cast a harsh light on JapanÂ’s judicial system. “I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied,” Ghosn, 65, said in a brief statement on Tuesday. “I have not fled justice - I have escaped injustice and political persecution. I can now finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week.” Tokyo officials have previously said the system is not inhumane and that Ghosn, who is facing trial on financial misconduct charges he denies, has been treated like any other suspect. It was unclear how Ghosn, who holds French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, was able to orchestrate his departure from Japan, given that he had been under strict surveillance by authorities while out on bail and had surrendered his passports. According to a senior Lebanese foreign ministry source, Ghosn entered Lebanon legally on a French passport and using his Lebanese ID with normal security procedures. Asked if Ghosn used a French passport, the French foreign ministry press service said it had no immediate comment. Ghosn arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Istanbul on Monday, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Immigration authorities had no record of Ghosn leaving the country, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said. A person resembling him entered Beirut international airport under a different name, NHK reported, citing an unidentified Lebanese security official. His lawyers were still in possession of his three passports, one of his lawyers, Junichiro Hironaka, told reporters. Hironaka, in comments broadcast live on NHK, said the first he had heard of GhosnÂ’s departure was on the news this morning and that he was surprised. He also said it was “inexcusable behaviour”. Japan has extradition treaties with only the United States and South Korea, according to the justice ministry, meaning it could be difficult to force Ghosn to return to stand trial.

Nissan seeks tech tie-up without Renault as alliance nears end of road

Nissan is developing growth plans in areas such as software and electric vehicles (EVs) independent of Renault SA as the automakers work to finalize terms of a sharply limited alliance, said seven people with knowledge of the matter. Japan's third-biggest automaker by sales is seeking a partner outside the auto industry to develop software that connects vehicles to cloud-based services, two people involved in discussions said, without elaborating on candidates. That would address a relative weakness for Nissan as it tries to make cars "smarter and more connected," one of the people said. It is also working on an expanded strategy for all-battery and plug-in EVs for North American and Asian markets that will be for Nissan alone, they said. The revelations come as the alliance oversight board met this week to discuss a rebalance that will see Renault cut its stake in Nissan to 15% from 43% — matching the size of Nissan's stake in Renault — and Nissan gain reciprocal voting rights. Under the deal, to be finalized by mid-year, Nissan will also invest in the French automaker's new Ampere EV business. Imbalance had long riled Nissan executives who complained Renault did not pay its fair share of costs for innovation and development. Nissan's emerging strategy reflects a belief within the automaker that the 23-year-old alliance has run its course for many of the biggest challenges it faces, the people said. While Nissan sees continued savings in shared parts procurement with Renault, it has no plan to provide engineering support to Ampere, said two of the people, who all asked not to be identified because talks between the pair are ongoing. It also has no plan to provide its e-Power hybrid technology to a gasoline powertrain-focused joint venture Renault has with China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd and Saudi Aramco Base Oil Co JSC, two of the people said. GOING SOLO Such go-it-alone thinking is shaping a longer-term plan that could be announced by year-end focusing on improved operational performance, electrification and software allowing self-driving and other "connected car" features, one of the people said. "Even if Renault gets something from Nissan, benefits moving in the other direction are hard," a second person with knowledge of Nissan's stance said.

Nissan-Dongfeng JV reveals Venucia VOW concept in Shanghai

Among the dozens of automakers pouring in to the Shanghai Motor Show this week to showcase their latest wares, this one comes from a brand you may never have heard of. It's called Venucia, and it's the product of a joint venture between Nissan and Chinese automaker Dongfeng. Today Venucia has unveiled the VOW Concept, a sporty-looking crossover designed to appeal to young Chinese buyers and previewed in a teaser rendering last week. The design is said to have been inspired by the Salar de Uyuni plateau in the Bolivian Andes, but reminds us a bit of the Lamborghini Urus and Mitsubishi XR-PHEV concepts. And that's no bad thing. Technical details are few and far between, but the name VOW apparently stands for "Venucia Over Wonder," that brand name itself having been derived from the Roman diety Venus. Beyond that we couldn't tell you any more, but even if the VOW concept gets put into production, the chances are slim to none that any version would ever reach a showroom on our side of the pond in the foreseeable future. Venucia debuts VOW Concept at Auto Shanghai 2015 SHANGHAI, China – Venucia, a local brand by Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company (DFL-PV), the passenger vehicle business unit of Nissan's joint venture in China, unveiled the VOW Concept at Auto Shanghai 2015. VOW Concept, a brand new trendy sport crossover concept by Venucia, was developed for the young generations. VOW is the abbreviation of "Venucia Over Wonder," meaning a complete breakthrough in excellence. The forward thinking and bold design is paired with a bright blue body inspired by Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, a high plateau near the crest of the Andes Mountains with captive fresh and saltwater lakes and the world's largest salt flat. VOW Concept conjures up a new balance of dynamic excellence and elegance. "With the VOW Concept, Venucia is going directly to the young generations and listening to what they have to say about their futures, their hopes and what inspires them. We are determined to bring forward a young and fresh brand that continues to challenge the status quo," said Zhou Xianpeng, DFL-PV deputy managing director. "We believe Venucia will lead future trends as an influencer, and enhance its place in the automotive market in China." About Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company (DFL-PV) Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company is a business unit of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd.