Nissan retains Saikawa as CEO, puts focus on Renault ties

Nissan said on Friday that Hiroto Saikawa would stay on as chief executive, backing the protege of former boss Carlos Ghosn even as top shareholder Renault pushed for a change in the Japanese automaker’s leadership, Reuters reads.

Saikawa’s re-appointment is likely to be seen as a rebuff to Renault, which has been pushing for leadership change at Nissan as a prelude to merger talks, sources at both companies have told Reuters. Saikawa – who has long opposed full integration – is seen as an obstacle to a tie-up, several people have told Reuters.

Nissan also said that Renault Chief Executive Thierry Bollore will join its board, while Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard will remain on the board. The appointments will be presented for approval at a shareholder meeting in June.