Carlos Ghosn Auditions For Third Base Coach Job

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is always visually entertaining. He's also made a huge gamble on electric cars but, if it doesn't work out, he can always be a third base coach. More »

Nissan To Sell Pure Electric Cars In Oregon

Nissan will begin selling electric cars in Oregon state as early as 2010, according to a statement by Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn at the LA Auto Show. There's been a lot buzz surrounding Nissan electric cars, especially with the debut of the Nissan Denki Cube concept at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. Oregon's governor Ted Kulongoski is recommending the state replace the $1,500 hybrid tax credit with a $5,000 electric vehicle credit, essentially subsidizing part of the cost of the vehicle. Nissan also plans a larger scale production of electric cars by 2012. Details in the statement from Nissan below. More »

2009 Nissan Maxima Pricing Announced

The restyled 2009 Nissan Maxima S is arriving in showrooms bearing a marketing-friendly "under $30k" MSRP of $29,950, including destination. That's up from $28,790 for the base 2008 Maxima, money well spent if the 2009 Maxima's sporting intentions prove genuine. If the S is too basic for you, upgrade to a 2009 Maxima SV for $32,650. More »

Nissan Developing Electric Car For 2010

The Nissan G37 Convertible wasn't the only news to come out of the Nissan GT 2012 strategic plan. Apparently, Carlos the destroyer has gone on record committing Nissan to an all-electric vehicle available by the end of calender year 2010 which will compete directly with cars in its segment. This of course significantly raises the bar for green-tastic PR bragging rights and will leave the Chevy Volt and the plug-in Toyota Prius looking dirtier than a Flint River trout. Although Ghosn wouldn't commit to a price, segment, or volumes, he did say they were planning on having a regular lineup of EVs in place by 2012. Maybe that Denki Cube we saw in New York was more than just a concept car. [NYTimes]

LA Auto Show: Go, Go, Go Ghosn!

Nissan CEO Carlos "The Jackal" Ghosn is in the process of revealing the new Nissan GT-R in a tourgasm of force. Or is it a tour of forcegasm? Whatever it is — it's friggin' epic. Actually, I think Brian Lam sitting right here next to me just had a GTRgasm. Wait, yes, he's soaking wet. The US-Spec GT-R shots will be up momentarily — please stand by. More »

Carlos Ghosn Wild: Renault-Nissan CEO Still Considering US Partnership

After his dressing like a superhero last week, we wouldn't be surprised if Renault-Nissan's Carlos Ghosn picked up a pimp cane and snapped in a set of diamond teeth to announce he still wants to get it on with a beleaguered US automaker. Perhaps it's Ghosn's experience with a struggling company that has him willing to bet on an American horse. Nissan, on the verge of collapse in 1999, was on the gold-digging end of the relationship when the company partnered with Renault. But since then, both companies have grown while cutting costs. Ghosn says it makes sense to add a large American automaker to his French-Japanese venture to realize additional economies of scale. But don't count on anything in the near term; Ghosn says Nissan must consolidate before any such union will be made. What's more, after talks of an alliance between GM and Nissan fell apart last year, it's now likely down to Ford or Chrysler. [The Detroit Free Press]

Nissan reporting a 16% drop in quarterly profit. That's no good thing especially considering they sold more vehicles this past quarter than the same quarter last year. Damn you rising material costs, incentives and new models! [Detroit News]

Nissan's Ghosn Green

Carlos "Guitarlos" Ghosn is pushing his company's dedication to lighter, more compact battery units. While Nissan's current hybrid system is based on NiMH batteries with powertrain tech licensed from Toyota, Renault's Japanese brothers are hammering on lithium ion cells in hopes of gaining a competitive advantage in electrical propulsion; in fact, Ghosn says he'd love to see Nissan in the ring with a viable electric vehicle. With GM having offered up a full-boat commitment to the Volt project and Toyota continuing to be well, Toyota, the melee in the hybrid market's only going to get more interesting before it gets codified. – Davey G. Johnson More »

Hump Day Special: Caption This!

If we were God, the Jackal here and Dr. Z would be cast in a remake of Bosom Buddies. Get to work. – Jonny Lieberman More »

Caption This Photo: Ghosn Time

The other night over dinner some of us Jalops were cracking each other up musing about how oddly photogenic Sir Carlos is. And while the regular photo we use can never be topped (click here), the image above is, well, worthy of your best work. 10 extra points will be awarded if you work in "The Jackal." – Jonny Lieberman More »

And That's The Nissan Way...Where Are My Shoes?

Here's the following note Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of the cross-global alliance, sent to his North American staff today to explain why he wouldn't be coming to this year's Christmas party. I feel like I'm reading a speech by Imelda Marcos or something. – Ray Wert More »

It's Official, Carlos Ghosn's An Official Honorary Knight

Good timing on those voluntary buyouts from earlier today, Carlos. While you're being feted at Buckingham Palace over your honorary knighthood today, your folks in Tennessee are deciding whether they'd like to take a couple thousand bucks or continue working with a scythe hanging over their necks. Good job with helping "improve Anglo-Japanese relations," now maybe you should try your "public relations." – Ray Wert More »

Carlos Ghosn Addresses His "Performance Crisis" While HQ Staff Go Bonus Bonkers

The Japanese side of the cross-global partnership announced today their profits took a bit of a hit during the fourth quarter. Ok, that's an understatement, in reality it was a 22.6% slide. In response, CEO Carlos Ghosn told reporters in Tokyo on a conference call from Paris, "We have today a performance crisis and we need to fix it as soon as possible." We've only got to ask the normally virile doubled-up CEO superhero one question — Levitra, Cialis or Viagra? More »

Go Figure: Carlos Ghosn Has A Hot Daughter

In case you're wondering why you're seeing the link below re-directing you over to a post about "debutards" over on Gawker, fear not — we're ready to explain. You see, the post references a young lady named Caroline Ghosn, a first-year student at Stanford. Yes, as I'm sure you've figured out, it's the daughter of Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, who we're sure was standing proudly by with wife watching as Caroline was busy being quoted by WWD while simultaneously getting ready for the 16th annual Paris Crillon Ball (Le Bal Des Debutantes) — well, ok, she's not doing a whole lot — in reality, her lesbian lover boyfriend is helping her into her shoes. Her quote though, was probably pretty tough for daddy-dearest to take:

"Isn't this the best? Just like Cinderella..."

And in the corner, behind young Caroline, her father cocks his head slightly towards Detroit, his eyes glistening with tears as he thinks about what could have been between he and Rick Wagoner, his very own Prince Charming. Oh, and in case you're wondering — yes, Caroline is hot. – Ray Wert More »

Ghosn Don't Need No More Stinking Alliances! Nissan Quarterly Profit Up 31%

Sir Carlos Ghosn, the man normally all about makin' friends and influencin' people, just dropped some pretty impressive numbers out of the Tokyo HQ of his globe-spanning alliance, Renault-Nissan. Net income popped up like a champagne cork to 164 billion yen ($1.38 billion) during the third quarter of 2006, that's up from 125 billion yen a year earlier. This came despite a sales slide of 0.9% to 2.324 trillion yen ($19.5 billion) — off of sales which dropped 7.6% to 883,000 vehicles. But, we can guess that first number must have buoyed the Napoleonic nanny of the Japanese-French alliance into his comments this morning:

"We have no need to find more partners. We are in no hurry to find more partners. And we are not taking any initiatives"

Man, Chrysler better totally hope the folks in Germany don't get sick of them anytime in the near future, because I've no idea where they're going to turn to for a dance partner. But, Ghosn did add that... More »

Well Played, Sir! Carlos Ghosn To Receive Honorary Knighthood, No Title

Everyone's favorite automakin' CEO in charge of the global-spanning alliance that is GM-Renault-Nissan just received word he's the next "Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire." The ceremony will be occurring at the British embassy sometime in early 2007. Unfortunately, because Ghosn is the very model of a modern non-english auto-man, the Napoleonic sized chief exec won't be getting the ability to be called Sir Carlos — despite our fervent wishes for it to be so.– Ray Wert More »

Breaking! Nissan Has No Comment, But Joint GM-Renault-Nissan Statement To Be Released Soon

In what will likely be the last thing these three companies ever do together, Nissan's told Reuters to expect a joint statement shortly on the WSJ report that the best laid plans of Carlos Ghosn and men have gone all screwy and he and the General's Rick Wagoner have said to hell with everything. We're going to start drinking early in anticipation of a fun afternoon. – Ray Wert More »

Tripartite's Over: Ghosn And Wagoner Terminate GM-Renault-Nissan Talks

The Wall Street Journal's reporting GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn have killed talks on a threesome between automakers: More »

It Takes Two, Baby! Rick And Bob Versus The World

Earlier, we showed you Renault et Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn getting his media shwerve on, but what about the tumultuous twosome of the General's General Wagoner and his hetero life-mate, Bob Lutz? And although some folks might give you the full frontal, we like to take things from behind every once in a while. And as you can see, these two're no slouches when it comes to media hawtness. But Ghosn's got two things going for him Rick n' Bob'll never have in attracting media attention. First, Ghosn's like a rock star with the Japanese and French elbow press, and second, he's got a comic book about his adventures. What kind of a comic book would Bob and Rick have — the "The Generally Ambiguously Gay Duo?" Oh wait, maybe it'd be "The Adventures of Bob and Silent Rick." Yeah, that'd totally be it. – Ray Wert More »

Breaking! Kirk Kerkorian's Got A Stomach For More GM

KirkKerk, like the Mona Lisa, has a dangerous smile when he's thinking about his beloved loved despised General Motors. Guess he and his hetero life partner, Tracinda, are thinking about what they'll do once they've snagged off of the street up to 12 million more shares of the company, which would give it more than a 10% stake, as the world's largest automaker continues discussions with Carlos Ghosn's Renault and Nissan about a three-way. The move by the world's most auto-tastic corporate raider comes just after Wagoner met with Carlos Ghosn, the head of Renault and Nissan, in Paris on Wednesday and agreed to continue talking about the alliance even though the talks are running into difficulties. What's our take? We're still of the opinion that Kirk wants to keep the pressure on the General and more importantly, on Slick Rick and his colonels participating in talks. We'll keep watching the story...despite the fact there's so many more fun things to be checking out here in Paris. More »

Ghosn's Napoleonic Complex Continues, Now Eyeing A Ford-Renault-Nissan Threesome?

According to the triumvirate of Bloomberg newsies — Jacqueline Simmons, John Lippert and Jeff Green — the man at the head of the wannabe-number-one is casting his net about looking for someone else to be a part of his team, and he's likely snared a big fish out in Dearborn, MI. That's right, now that family guy Bill is no longer as much on the scene, and the GM idea's not coming to pass, he's beginning to gaze longingly at the glass house. Just be careful Carlos, don't gaze too long, you might hurt your eyes from the glare. Yes, a FoMoCo-Renault-Nissan alliance may make a bit more sense, but come on, little big man — did ya actually think you could be the #1 auto man in the world just by willing it to be so? That's so J rgen Schrempp — or really, Napoleonic of you. More »

Super-Mega-Merger: GM-Ford Alliance In The Works?

Automotive News is reporting a story this morning with an amazing level of detail that if true, would be the biggest news to rock the automotive world since the invention of the truck-car. They are reporting the possibility GM may cast Carlos Ghosn and talks of an alliance with Renault-Nissan to the winds in favor of keeping things in the Detroit family — and pursuing a merger or alliance with the boys and girls in Dearborn. That's right, they're claiming a GM and Ford tie-up's a possibility with talks occuring between GM CFO Fritz Henderson and FoMoCo CFO Don Leclair. Although there's no clear indication how those talks went, and both GM and Ford spokespersons aren't talking, what's clear is the mere possibility of it will send the pundit and press classes all atwitter quicker than a free buffet at a press conference. More »

Ghosn Going To Get Free Checks! Renault, Nissan Reportedly Hiring Banks To Advise On A GM Threesome

Word on the street from both the business boys over at Bloomberg and the fiscal yet still frisky folks at the Financial Times is Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's gone and hired advisory banks for a possible alliance with General Motors. The Financial Times report says Renault's hired investment bank BNP Paribas as its bank of choice for setting up Ghosn's three-way action with the General and Nissan. Although Nissan spokespeople are doing the "decline to comment" dance — we all know that's just the only way PR people know how to say "yes." More »

Le Whey Forward: Did Ghosn Get a Call From Bill Boss?

The Wall Street Journal Europe is somehow under the impression Bill Ford recently called Renault-Nissan- World Domination, LTD boss Carlos Ghosn to explore a cooperation between the companies if a possible deal with GM fell through. According to Automotive News a Renault spokesman, whom we'll call Jean Claude, declined to comment. And, notwithstanding some wild-ass speculation by one journalist, at least one analyst has said a Ford-Renault-Nissan tie-up would be tidier than a comparable alliance between R-N and GM. (It's common knowledge FoMoCo once courted Ghosn for its top job, but Ghosn declined). With so much chatter in the pipeline, we just know someone's going to make a big announcement soon. We'll have to ask our bookie. More »

Breaking! Nissan's Quarterly Net Profit Rises 4.2%

Carlos Ghosn shows yet again that he too knows the secret of "Step 2" — at least on the Japanese side of the globe-spanning alliance. There were approximately 110.2 billion reasons why we know he knows the secret (and yes, that's in yen...not American dollars. That'd be $945 million for the currency calculator adverse). That's a rise of 4.2% over the same quarter last year. Nissan also saw quarterly sales rise 3.1% to 2.2 trillion yen ($18.9 bilion). Not bad Ghosn, you trying to show off or something? More »

Breaking! Ghosn: GM-Renault-Nissan Discussions Won't Include Talk Of A Capital Stake

Kirk Kerkorian's big time plan for a "Big" capital stake in General Motors for Renault-Nissan may not only not be in the cards — it won't even be discussed over the next 90 days. So says Renault-Nissan CEO, Carlos "Big Man" Ghosn in a discussion with reporters outside Nissan's Tokyo headquarters: More »

Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda Dodges Fastballs From CNBC's Bartiromo

There are so many great combinations of "Dodger" and "Tom LaSorda" — we almost don't know where to start. Ok, well — we'll just play it straight down the plate then. Chrysler President and CEO Tom LaSorda sat down on CNBC's "Closing Bell" with Maria Bartiromo to answer some questions on the late-night dinner between Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn and GM CEO Rick Wagoner. Nothing really special, with LaSorda staying on his talking points — but damn it if he doesn't look like he's dropped a few pounds. Those shakes must really be helping. More »

Here's Looking At You, Rick: Carlos "Big Man" Ghosn Heads To GM

GM's Rick Wagoner took to the stage earlier this week, and yesterday it was Carlos Ghosn's turn on the runway. We already gave you a look at Ghosn's conquest of the beaches of Bartiromo, but that wasn't his only foray into the media wilds yesterday. Ghosn sat down for coffee and pastries with all sorts of print journalists (don't worry Carlos — we were busy yesterday anyway) resulting in a number of interesting and provocative stories on the energetic and excitable Renault-Nissan CEO along with the accompanying conjecture on today's meeting with Wagoner. Just as importantly — it resulted in a number of funny quotes and exchanges like these from today's New York Times: More »

Ghosn Goes Live All Over CNBC's Maria Bartiromo

Maria "The Hottness" Bartiromo had GM's newest and biggest pal, Carlos "Big Time" Ghosn (more on that later on) on "Closing Bell" yesterday. Although Ghosn didn't say much more than he already has — there was one additional nugget of knowledge the sparkling Bartiromo gleaned from the boisterous Renault-Nissan CEO, and it's that he isn't looking to be the next Napoleon CEO of General Motors. Wagoner's got to be happy to hear that — however, Ghosn said nothing about whether he's willing to take the job of "Supreme Allied Commander" or "Emperor" — so we guess those are still potentially up for grabs. Oh and by the way — that meeting — it should be starting right about now. [Video via LLN] More »

Ghosn Talking The Talk On GM

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn sat down with Detroit News auto writer Christine Tierney to discuss life, his favorite flavor of ice cream and, oh yeah...his belief that a three-way alliance with General Motors could generate big benefits for all three companies by increasing short-term performance but also helping with long-term direction. Ghosn emphasized it would only work if it were a friendly deal benefiting all three automakers and in addition: More »

Autoextremist Feels Ghosn, York, KirkKerk; Doesn't Like It

Sweet Peet D looks at the ways GM, Nissan and Renault could unite on specific products, including an engine-manufaturing alliance much like Hyundai, DCX and Mitsu's GEMA, as well as some platform-sharing. And in the Autoextremist's eyes, that's all they're gonna get out of Ghosn, York and Kerkorian's talks with Wagoner. Or, all they should get. In his eyes, this is nothing short of a hostile bid, with York as the conductor and Kerkorian the cash behind the operation. Peet thinks GM can and will resist the attack, also going so far as to only allow Kerkorian to have a rep on the board that isn't Jerry York. More »

Breaking! Pontissanault Here We Come: GM Board Agrees To Consider Alliance With Renault-Nissan

The General's Board of Directors agreed today to consider an alliance with Renault-Nissan. CEO Rick Wagoner made the following statement after what many say was a surprisingly short board meeting: More »

Could Kerkorian Push GM Into Ghosn Renault-Nissan?

According to the AP, KirkKerk's Tracinda Corp, which owns nearly a 10th of GM, in a partnership with Renault and Nissan, could easily purchase 30% of the ailing American automaker, giving them a hefty vote on the board, and possibly ending Rick Wagoner's lifelong career with the General. Some are for the deal, hailing Carlos as a turnaround genius, while others see it as a ploy by Kerkorian to get his way. In any event, things undoubtedly just got more hairball at the RenCen, especially among the lifelong Michiganders who blanch at the thought of moving to the Volunteer State. More »

Wagoner Strikes Back: GM Responds to Renault-Nissan Merger Talk

General Motors issued a "oh no you di'int" to this morning's media feeding frenzy regarding ot the recent 13-D filing that indicated Renault-Nissan's intention to buy an interest in GM:

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) has received no offer or proposal from Renault/Nissan with respect to its participating in the Renault/Nissan Alliance, as suggested in the 13-D Filing made today by the Tracinda Corporation. The Tracinda request will be taken under advisement by the GM Board of Directors. At this time, we have no further comment.

Just checking — "taken under advisement" still means "go fuck yourself," right? More »