Nissan CEO in No Rush to Leave

Nissan Motor Co. CEO Hiroto Saikawa wants to remain in charge for at least three years, sources tell Bloomberg News.

Saikawa said in January he planned to step down “as soon as possible” following the arrest and ouster of Chairman Carlos Ghosn last November on charges of financial wrongdoing.

But Bloomberg’s sources say he told an internal executive meeting he wants to stay for three or more years to shepherd the company through the aftermath of Ghosn’s removal.

Saikawa strongly opposes an effort led by Ghosn to merge Nissan with alliance partner Renault SA. Extending his tenure for several years would stall those plans.

Bloomberg notes that Ghosn had groomed Saikawa for years to succeed him as CEO in 2017. But friction quickly developed between the two executives. After Ghosn’s arrest, Saikawa sharply criticized Ghosn’s behavior. Ghosn declared himself the victim of “plot and treason” by Nissan executives.