Nissan Investigates Claims of CEO Surveillance of Deputy
Nissan Motor Co. has launched an investigation into allegations by a senior adviser, Hari Nada, that CEO Makoto Uchida carried out surveillance on his deputy, Ashwani Gupta. The claims were made in a letter by Nada to the independent directors on Nissan’s board. Gupta, who was a potential candidate to become Nissan’s CEO, had questioned the terms of the revised Renault-Nissan alliance, which led to a management split. The surveillance claims were an attempt to remove Gupta, who was seen as an obstacle to the deal. Nissan has declined to comment further on the matter.
Allegations of Harassment Against Gupta
Nada’s letter also revealed allegations of harassment against Gupta by a female employee, which were being investigated by Japanese law firm Anderson Mori & Tomotsune. Gupta, who had been chief operating officer since 2019 and was widely considered a candidate to become CEO, resigned from Nissan earlier this month. Gupta and Nada have not responded to requests for comment, and it is unclear who is conducting the investigation for Nissan.
Nissan’s Ties to Renault Remain Divisive
The allegations highlight ongoing divisions within Nissan over its relationship with Renault. In February, Nissan and Renault announced new partnership terms under which Nissan would take a stake of up to 15% in Ampere, an electric vehicle unit spun off by Renault. Renault would reduce its 43% stake in Nissan. However, the deal has faced delays, and senior executives at Renault, including Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard and CEO Luca de Meo, saw Gupta as slowing or blocking its completion. Nada also criticized Uchida for making concessions and commitments to de Meo in backroom deals involving Nissan’s intellectual property.
Nada’s Letter Marks Second Clash With Nissan’s Top Boss
This is the second time Nada has clashed with Nissan’s top boss over the company’s dealings with Renault. Former CEO Carlos Ghosn was considering a full merger of the companies before his arrest in 2018. Nada cooperated with prosecutors in the related case against former Nissan director Greg Kelly and testified that he believed a merger with Renault had to be stopped to protect Nissan’s interests. Nada is a member of two executive committees established by Nissan in 2019 as part of a governance reform following the Ghosn scandal.
Conclusion
Nissan’s investigation into allegations of surveillance by its CEO highlights ongoing tensions over the revised Renault-Nissan alliance. The allegations come amid delays to a deal that would see Nissan take a stake in Renault’s electric vehicle unit, Ampere. The sudden resignation of Gupta, who questioned the terms of the deal, raises questions about the future of Nissan’s leadership and its relationship with Renault.
This Article Nissan Investigates Claims of CEO Surveillance of Deputy Amidst Renault Alliance Dispute was first Published on World Weekly News
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