Last week, Mitsubishi Chief Operating Officer, Trevor Mann, remarked that it has been given preference over its sister marques for future pick-up development, alleging that the next Navara and Renault Alaskan will be based on the platform of the new Triton due to arrive in 2021, in an attempt to cut down on costs and R&D.
“Based on the expertise question, the company with the most expertise at a certain category would take the lead, which is why I intimated we would be the potential leader for frame [body-on-frame] platforms,” Mann told Australia’s caradvice.com.au at the recent launch of the updated Triton in Thailand.
“We have 4x4 expertise, and we have framed vehicle expertise. Obviously Nissan also has a level of 4x4 ability, but I think what we have in terms of our AWD system, that defines our brand and is a brand differentiator”.
In an interview with the online publication though, Nissan’s Chief Product Specialist, Pedro de Anda, said that while he is aware of Mann’s comments, the announcement by the former Nissan Executive Vice President was “premature”.
“They have their reasons for saying what they said. But we said when this Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi alliance was created that we were of course, looking at different synergies and when our lifecycles align we will share a platform,” de Anda said.
“We've been in partnership for a year and half, so it is still a very premature stage. I can't give too many details, who will do what, we can't confirm yet. They are different brands with different customers. For Mitsubishi, the Triton is very important to them obviously. But these vehicles must be more than just different bonnets or different from fascia. Ideally all of the panels should be different, even the glasshouse can be different”.
CEO Ghosn set to be fired
Meanwhile, reports have since emerged that the Alliance’s current CEO, Carlos Ghosn, is facing the chopping block over alleged financial misconduct.
According to the BBC, the Brazilian born Ghosn, who took over as chairman of Mitsubishi last year, and whose overseeing of the merger between Renault and Nissan at the turn of the century is widely credited for saving both from bankruptcy, has been arrested in Japan after a media report alleged that he had failed to report an amount of some five billion yen (R623 589 513) in earnings from 2011 onwards.
The article further claims that Nissan Representative Director, Greg Kelly, is also facing the axe for his involvement in the saga, and that both he and Ghosn will be given their marching orders at a looming board meeting later this week.
Nissan has meanwhile stated that an internal investigation has revealed “numerous other significant acts of misconduct, such as personal use of company assets”.
“The investigation showed that over many years both Ghosn and Kelly have been reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that were less than the actual amount, in order to reduce the disclosed amount of Carlos Ghosn’s compensation,” a statement from the automaker read.
“As the misconduct uncovered through our internal investigation constitutes clear violations of the duty of care as directors, Nissan’s Chief Executive Officer Hiroto Saikawa will propose to the Nissan Board of Directors to promptly remove Ghosn from his positions as Chairman and Representative Director. Saikawa will also propose the removal of Greg Kelly from his position as Representative Director.
“Nissan deeply apologises for causing great concern to our shareholders and stakeholders. We will continue our work to identify our governance and compliance issues, and to take appropriate measures”.
