In a critical analysis published by Jalopnik on June 25, 2025, Matthew DeBord reports that Carlos Ghosn asserts the long-standing Renault‑Nissan‑Mitsubishi alliance is effectively finished—and that recent Nissan decisions validate his warning.
Ghosn stated (via Le Figaro interview):
“The terminally ill Renault‑Nissan‑Mitsubishi alliance hasn’t officially died, but Ghosn clearly thinks it’s a goner.”
He highlighted Nissan’s solo challenges:
- Nissan is in serious trouble, undergoing drastic restructuring: closing factories, cutting jobs, and possibly selling its headquarters after the failed Honda merger.
- Ghosn suggested Nissan should look beyond failed tie-ups, even hinting at Foxconn as a potential savior, as noted by Le Figaro.
The analysis praised Ghosn’s legacy-building efforts:
“His master plan was to fully combine Nissan, Renault, and Mitsubishi into a gigantic holding company… he brought the alliance to the point where it could challenge Volkswagen and Toyota globally.”
Regarding Renault, Ghosn noted:
- With Nissan essentially severed, Renault has an opportunity to reinvent itself, potentially via partnerships with Chinese giants like Geely or Volvo .
DeBord concluded that Ghosn’s observation reflects a wider trend: powerful, empire-building leaders are being sidelined, and the future of global automakers may depend on the rise of a “new Carlos Ghosn” in markets like China .
JUNE 25, 2025 11:25 PM EST