Renault-Nissan Alliance Seeks New Exec to Drive Integration

The Renault-Nissan alliance is looking for a new operational chief to further integrate the companies and prepare to succeed 63-year-old CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Sources tell Reuters that Ghosn’s plan is to create the new position by melding the separate chief competitive officer positions that currently exist at the two carmakers. Top contenders for the job are Jose Munoz, Nissan’s chief performance officer, and Yasuhiro Yamauchi, Nissan’s chief competitive officer, according to the news service.

Ghosn relinquished his CEO position at Nissan in February but continues as CEO at Renault and chairman of both companies, plus Nissan’s Mitsubishi Motors affiliate. His current contract at Renault ends next year.

Ghosn has been a strong defender of the alliance’s structure, in which Renault owns a controlling 44% stake in Nissan, and Nissan owns a non-voting 15% of Renault. But in February he signaled the two companies are ready to merge—if the French government sells its 20% holding in Renault. The state has been reluctant to cash out, preferring to use its stake to pressure Renault into preserving jobs in France.