Carlos Ghosn Claims Nissan Shareholders Wanting Him Back Is “Common Sense”

Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, currently a fugitive facing financial allegations, has weighed in on investor calls for his return to the automaker. In an interview with Reuters, Ghosn framed the push as a rational reaction to years of failed turnaround plans under Nissan’s current leadership. He accused the company’s executives of squandering value and losing direction since his 2018 ouster, arguing that only his return as CEO could address the “emergency” at Nissan.

“The only job to save the company is a CEO job,” Ghosn stated, asserting that no advisory role would suffice. He claimed his track record—including past successes at Nissan—made him the only viable candidate to implement the tough decisions needed. At Nissan’s annual meeting on June 24, 2026, CEO Ivan Espinosa faced shareholder frustration, including a proposal to bring Ghosn back, which was overwhelmingly rejected.

Ghosn dismissed the idea of a mere advisory role, insisting only a CEO could steer Nissan out of its crisis. Meanwhile, Ford is celebrating a rare bright spot in JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study, jumping from below-average rankings in 2025 to the top spot among mass-market brands.

Porsche claimed the overall top spot, with Genesis second and Ford third. Lexus, the 2025 winner, dropped to fourth. Ford also earned segment wins for the F-150, Mustang, and Super Duty, with seven of its ten tested models ranking in the top three of their categories.

The study measures issues reported in the first 90 days of ownership, though recalls—often issued after this period—are not reflected in the rankings. Renault, meanwhile, is cutting 800 engineering jobs in France by the end of 2027 as part of a broader plan to reduce its global engineering workforce by 15% to 20%. The cuts aim to streamline operations amid intensifying competition from Chinese automakers, which have tripled their European market share over the past two years with advanced, competitively priced vehicles.

Renault’s chief technology officer, Philippe Brunet, acknowledged that all legacy automakers—including Renault, Japanese, and Korean brands—are struggling to compete. The move reflects a broader industry trend of sacrificing long-term innovation for short-term cost-cutting. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is also in turmoil, with its North American division currently leaderless.

The next CEO for the region faces a daunting task, described as a “pressure cooker” role with high stakes and no easy path to success.