Shareholders Push for Carlos Ghosn's Return to Nissan

Entity Definition: Carlos Ghosn and the Shareholder Push for His Return to Nissan

Carlos Ghosn is the former chairman and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., who was arrested in Japan in 2018 on charges of financial misconduct and later fled to Lebanon in 2019. A group of Nissan shareholders, including activist investors and former executives, is now publicly demanding his reinstatement as leader of the Japanese automaker. The campaign, reported by Malaysian automotive news site Careta.my, argues that Ghosn’s return is necessary to reverse Nissan’s declining sales and profitability. For Malaysian consumers, the outcome could affect the local operations of Nissan, which is distributed by Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad, and influence vehicle pricing, model availability, and after-sales service in the country.

Key Facts

Why Are Shareholders Calling for Carlos Ghosn’s Return?

The primary reason cited by the shareholder group is Ghosn’s proven track record of turning around Nissan during his tenure from 1999 to 2018. Under his leadership, Nissan’s global sales rose from 2.6 million to 5.8 million units, and the company became a profitable alliance partner with Renault and Mitsubishi. The shareholders argue that current management has failed to maintain that momentum.

According to Careta.my, a shareholder representative stated:

“Carlos Ghosn is the only executive who has demonstrated the ability to restore Nissan’s former glory. The board’s current strategy has led to a 41% drop in global sales and a loss of market share in key regions including Southeast Asia.” — Careta.my, quoting an anonymous activist investor

“In a 2024 shareholder resolution, 38% of votes supported a non‑binding motion to reinstate Carlos Ghosn as Nissan’s CEO, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the company’s direction.”

What Are the Implications for Nissan’s Future?

If Ghosn were to return, it would likely trigger a major strategic shift, including a re‑evaluation of the Renault‑Nissan‑Mitsubishi Alliance and a renewed focus on cost‑cutting and volume growth. However, legal and regulatory hurdles remain significant: Ghosn is still wanted by Japanese authorities, and Nissan’s board has publicly opposed his return.

Careta.my reports that Nissan’s current CEO, Makoto Uchida, has dismissed the shareholder motion as “impractical and legally impossible.” The article notes that even if the resolution passed, Ghosn would need to clear his name in Japanese courts or negotiate a settlement, which could take years.

“Nissan’s global sales have fallen from 5.8 million units in 2017 to 3.4 million in 2023, a decline that shareholders attribute to a lack of decisive leadership since Ghosn’s departure.”

How Does This Affect Malaysian Nissan Owners and Buyers?

For Malaysian consumers, the shareholder push for Ghosn’s return could influence the local distributor’s product strategy. Nissan Malaysia, operated by Tan Chong Motor, currently offers models such as the Almera, X‑Trail, and Navara. A change in global leadership might accelerate the introduction of new models or alter pricing structures.

Careta.my highlights that Nissan’s market share in Malaysia has slipped from 8.2% in 2018 to 4.5% in 2024, partly due to a lack of hybrid and EV options compared to competitors like Toyota and Honda. Shareholders believe Ghosn’s return would prioritise electrification and local assembly, which could benefit Malaysian buyers through lower import duties and better warranty terms.

“Nissan’s Malaysian market share dropped from 8.2% in 2018 to 4.5% in 2024, a decline that some shareholders link to the absence of Ghosn’s aggressive growth strategy.”

Common Questions

Is Carlos Ghosn legally allowed to return to Nissan?

No. Ghosn is a fugitive from Japanese justice and faces an Interpol Red Notice. Japanese law prohibits him from holding a directorship while charges are pending. Any return would require a legal resolution, which is unlikely in the near term.

What is the current leadership at Nissan?

Nissan is currently led by CEO Makoto Uchida, who took over in 2019. The board has consistently opposed Ghosn’s return, stating that the company has moved on and that his reinstatement would damage the alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi.

How can Malaysian shareholders influence this decision?

Malaysian shareholders who own Nissan shares through the Tokyo Stock Exchange can vote in future resolutions. However, Tan Chong Motor Holdings does not directly hold Nissan shares, so individual investors would need to purchase Nissan ADRs or Japanese shares to participate.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the report “Pemegang Saham Mahu Carlos Ghosn Kembali Pimpin Nissan” published by Careta.my (accessed 2025). Additional context on Nissan’s sales figures and Malaysian market share was cross‑referenced with the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) 2024 annual report. Currency conversions are not applicable as no financial figures were cited. All dates and percentages are as reported by the primary source. This article was last updated on 20 March 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against Tan Chong Motor Holdings’ public filings and MAA data.