Renault CEO Decries “Coup” to Oust Him

Renault CEO Thierry Bollore, facing a board decision to oust him today, describes the move to Les Echos as brutal and stupefying.

Media reports earlier this week say Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard will urge the board  to remove Bollore, a close associate of Carlos Ghosn, the former chairman of Renault and its Nissan Motor Co. alliance partner. Ghosn faces charges of financial wrongdoing after being arrested in Japan nearly a year ago.

Bollore insists he is totally loyal to Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard and committed to Renault’s pledge to repair its strained relationship with Nissan.

But for months both companies have been shedding high-level managers considered to be ex-Ghosn loyalists. Critics say Bollore remains as the most visible remaining executive who fits that description.