Nissan-Mitsubishi-Honda Alliance Is A “Disguised” Honda Takeover, Alleges Carlos Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn whilst still leading Nissan as its CEO and later Chairman before his ousting in 2018. (Image: CarScoops)

Though disgracefully ousted and exiled following a brazen escape from house arrest, former supremo of Nissan Carlos Ghosn still isn’t short of controversy. In fact, in a recent interview, the 70-year-old fugitive says the recently announced Nissan-Mitsubishi-Honda alliance isn’t what it seems.

Speaking with Automotive News, Ghosn alleges that the new alliance between the three Japanese automakers mentioned is in fact a “disguised” takeover plotted by rivals Honda. Ghosn argues that the H-marque is, by far, the largest of the trio, thus putting it “in the driver’s seat” of the endeavour.

Ghosn continues to lash out against his former Japanese employers. In a recent interview, he alleges the new Nissan-Mitsubishi-Honda alliance is a "disguised" takeover by Honda.

Fuelling his allegations further is the fact that details of the Nissan-Mitsubishi-Honda alliance haven’t been fleshed out in full. However, Nissan and Honda have separately inked a collaboration agreement prior to work on batteries, e-motors and software-defined vehicles.

Additionally, both Nissan and Honda have committed to complement each other’s line-ups with both combustion (ICE) and all-electric (EV) models. Mitsubishi’s entry into this tri-partite alliance stems from the fact that Nissan owns a sizeable 34% stake in it.

This is the latest in a string of unflattering comments expressed by Ghosn against his former employers who accused him of misappropriating company funds. (Image: Motor1)

"I can't imagine for one moment how it's going to work between Honda and Nissan unless it's a takeover, unless it's a disguised takeover by Honda of Nissan and Mitsubishi with Honda in the driver's seat. It's going to be a takeover, a disguised takeover,” said Ghosn in describing the alliance.

This is the latest in a string of unflattering remarks Ghosn expressed against the company he once led. Previously, the exec of French-Lebanese-Brazilian descent, had also lashed out by calling Nissan “boring, mediocre”, and even described its alliance with Renault as “small and fragile.”

A fairly 'recent' photo of Ghosn living in exile in Lebanon snapped back in 2001. (Image: AP)

Now living in exile in Lebanon, Ghosn previously served a key role in restructuring Renault as its Executive Vice President. During which, he was widely dubbed as ‘Le Cost Killer’ – a legacy borne out of his fierce restructuring agenda and, subsequently, his near-heartless cost-cutting measures.

Ghosn then stunned the industry when he was installed as CEO of Nissan in June 2001, becoming the first Westerner to ever lead a Japanese automaker at a time when Renault owned a 43.4% stake. However, accusations of misappropriating corporate funds led to his ousting and arrest in Nov 2018.

Ghosn was then placed under house arrest in Tokyo, Japan as legal proceedings got underway. He then made a brazen escape from which in late 2019 where he was famously transported out of sight from his home in a musical instrument case and into a private jet that flew him to Lebanon via Turkey.