Carole Ghosn, wife of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, said her husband’s arrest was a conspiracy by Nissan’s board to avoid a merger with French automaker Renault.
Related: Carlos Ghosn Talks About Nissan Conspiracy in Video Message
Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Japan late last year due to alleged financial misconduct. Ghosn has repeatedly denied the charges. His wife, Carole Ghosn while talking in an exclusive interview with Sara Eisen on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” said:
“We know it’s a conspiracy. Nissan did not want this merger. A few people within Nissan decided to get rid of my husband, that that was the easiest way not to do the merger. There was maybe a more civilized way of doing it.
Nissan spokesperson Nicholas Maxfield rejected Carole Ghosn’s claims, saying “the sole cause of this chain of events is the misconduct led by Carlos Ghosn.”
Related: Carlos Ghosn Granted Bail Again
Ghosn was rearrested in April 2019 on new charges of misusing corporate money. He has consistently refused to sign a confession and has accused Nissan and unnamed executives at the company of “backstabbing,” and engaging in a “coup.”
Nissan reportedly rejected a proposed merger with Renault in April. The offer came shortly after Nissan removed Ghosn from the board, ending his 19 years with the company. The companies are in a long-standing operating alliance with Japan’s Mitsubishi that further complicates matters.
Related: Fiat Chrysler and Renault are in Talks to Form a Partnership
Recently, the Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler (FCA) announced a proposed merger with Renault. Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa responded that Fiat Chrysler’s proposed merger would “require a fundamental review of the existing relationship between Nissan and Renault.”
According to Carole Ghosn:
It’s clear how Nissan doesn’t want to be involved and they want nothing to do with it. I think with time, we will see more clarity on this story. And people now realize … this was a conspiracy against my husband.”
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
