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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Autoextremist: Industry 'Ballistic'

Sweet Peet D. pulls out the shotgun and claims that the auto industry, what with its Dr. Z's, proposed Japanese-Franco-American mergers and Oklahoman built, Sino-Anglo MGs (where's Booker T. when you need him?) has gone "ballistic." We don't know about that. 'Ballistic" generally implies some sort of trajectory is involved, no matter how loopy. There's no trajectory here. We prefer the phrase, "grasping at straws." As such, we offer up an anecdote after the jump. More »

Intro The New GM Media Strategy: CEO Rick Wagoner Waxes On The Opel Corsa, Renault-Nissan

Initially we believed — and frankly many GM PR staff seemed to confirm — the General's strategy for the next 90 days was going to be "Get Rick the hell away from cameras." However, we now think we were a bit hasty in snapping to that assessment. Exhibit A would be the above announcement for the Opel Corsa. Normally, although we're excited about the new Opel Corsa, we probably wouldn't be covering the unveiling out in swinging London with two videos. But — because we got our hands on some lovely footage of Rick here waxing on alliances of all kinds — we also end up talking about the Opel Corsa again. Not a bad deal for GM — they get to talk about their new Euro hatch, while adding nothing new to the Renault-Nissan alliance discussion narratives. Well played, sirs...well played. Now if only they could get Wagoner to say something about the Corsa other than the fact he fits in it. More »

The Wall Street Journal's "Big" Plan For Ford, GM

The WSJ proves yet again despite being a newspaper on business often times they appear to know nothing about business. The triumvirate of WSJ talking heads, Rob Cox, Edward Chancellor, David Vise are offering up their version of a "solution" to GM and Ford's woes. For some strange reason Cox et al. believe the way to "Step 2" for Ford and GM may be by joining forces and creating a "Super-Big" auto manufacturer: 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 »

Toyota Tells All: "GM Hasn't Talked To Us, We Haven't Talked To Them."

In an attempt to counter some weekend wild-ass speculation — the Detroit News is reporting from another unnamed Toyota source — apparently with a different opinion from that made by BusinessWeek's David Kiley: 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 »

The People Have Spoken, Rick: Michiganders Favor GM-Renault-Nissan Alliance

Glad we got that settled — because what's good for Michigan, is good for General Motors...or something like that. But wait, the Freep's not done just yet. We were lucky enough to get advance copy of the Freep's next set of polls: 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 »

Kerkorian Knows "Step 2"...For Tracinda!

It's always nice to be able to get your company and its investments in the black. Billionaire investor, financier and top GM shareholder, Kirk Kerkorian certainly knows how to make a profit (the key being, of course, a necessary understanding of Step 2) — at least for Tracinda Corporation, his child holding company and its 56 million shares of General Motors stock. Since pushing this whole GM-Renault-Nissan thing on June 30th, GM's stock's risen 7.9% — part of a total 53% gain on the year. That means KirkKerk's Tracinda's net investment of $1.52 billion is now up to around $1.66 billion given GM's close of $29.62 on Wednesday on the NYSE. Not too shabby for a one year investment if you ask us — it pretty much blows our money market fund out of the water. Man, we gotta move our banking. 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! Mr. Wagoner Goes To Washington

Talk about going from one firing squad to the other. The day before GM CEO Rick Wagoner's set to meet with Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn on Kirk Kerkorian's desired topic of "Why Carlos Should Be The New Rick," he's got to make the trek out to Washington DC to testify in front of the Senate's Select Committee on Aging. The topic: Medicaid and how GM's reigning in health care costs for retirees. Well, hell — GM's been operating job banks for so long — maybe they really can teach the feds a thing or two about how to run a welfare state. Oh, and in case anyone is wondering — he won't be meeting with Bush this time either. 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 »

Kerkorian Warns What? The Times' Micki Maynard Interviews Tracinda's "Spokesperson"

Yeah, it's total speculation on our part but we can't think of anyone else Micki would be talking to with this kind of knowledge of the direction Tracinda's looking to take with GM — save Kirk Kerkorian or Jerry York or one of their inner circle. We're ruling out usual suspect Anthony Mandekic, who's usually more than willing to sign anything Tracinda sends out (in fairness, that's his job as secretary/treasurer/flunky of the board of the holding company). That leaves us with three possible perps, all of whom know their proverbial shit (see paragraph five for sly out-of-quotes usage of Kerkorian's name). Nonetheless, this "spokesperson" said a number... 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 »

Dieter Ain't Afraid Of A Big and Bad General

DaimlerChrysler's main man — the TV star, interwebs star, commercial star and keeper of all things "Step 2" told reporters today at a Tokyo news conference that he's not in the least bit worried about a General Motors and Renault-Nissan killer combo, More »

Breaking! Banc Of America Gushes Love All Over GM, Ups Rating To "Neutral"

While the parties involved talk about whether they'll talk, Banc of America's taking a big step forward and raising their rating on General Motors from "sell" to "neutral." The investment bank's dropping all their chips on black and praying a GM/Renault-Nissan partnership will take place. Well...it's really their clients chips...so we guess it's not that big a risk for them. Anyway, it worked — GM's up $0.53 on the news. More »