Dacia

Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of Nissan who was in Japan awaiting trial on multiple charges for misusing corporate funds and hiding his pay, has dramatically fled the country for Lebanon.

Japanese worries about the proposed merger's effects on the 20-year old Renault and Nissan alliance may have scuppered the proposed US$35 billion ($51 billion) merger between Renault and Fiat Chrysler (FCA). Sources have told Bloomberg Japanese officials informed their French counterparts about fears the proposed Fiat Chrysler and Renault merger could harm Nissan.

Late last week Carlos Ghosn walked out of the Tokyo Detention Centre again after posting ¥500 million ($6.3 million) in bail. Unlike his first release from jail, when he donned a construction worker's outfit as disguise, Ghosn left jail this time in a plain white button-up shirt with a dark blue jacket. The court imposed a new condition on his freedom, requiring Ghosn to seek permission before he meets or communicates with his wife Carole.

Sources have told The Financial Times Renault is hoping to start merger talks with Nissan within 12 months, and then work on purchasing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). According to wire reports (via Automotive News), when Saikawa was asked about whether he knew about Renault's reported plans, he replied, "not at all".