Nissan Supports Notre Dame Restoration, Ditto for Relationship With Renault
Nissan Motor Co. has pledged a donation of 100,000 euros ($112,000) for the restoration of the fire-kissed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. However, the company’s act of kindness is overshadowed by its rather interesting timing. Nissan’s relationship with partner Renault and the French government has grown strained since the arrest of former Alliance boss Carlos Ghosn — now back in jail after his fourth arrest and rumored to be facing indictment on new charges early next week in Japan.
Then again, the fire at Notre Dame was an extremely high-profile incident, leading to the donation of millions in charitable contributions for its repair. Where it not for the elevated tensions between the company and Renault/France, nobody would question Nissan’s motives in the slightest.
Officially, the Japanese automaker says the funds simply fall within its wishes “to contribute to the internationally iconic cathedral’s restoration in recognition of and appreciation for Nissan Europe and Renault employees as well as the people of France.” It also acknowledged its 20-year relationship with Renault.
While Ghosn’s arrest has raised red flags atop Japan’s legal system and managed to make Nissan look like it orchestrated an industrial coup, Nissan’s grievances surrounding an potential merger are legitimate. As the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance works to restructuring itself more fairly, Nissan has a non-voting stake that effectively gives Renault control.
We also don’t know whether or not Mr. Ghosn is innocent of the crimes against him. It does seem to appear that he underreported a sizable amount of his earnings and may have even tried to hide funds used for personal projects by moving it around. New details of the ongoing case emerge with each passing month, and Ghosn’s denial of any criminal wrongdoing can appear totally plausible one day, but oddly suspicious the next. His legal trial is expected to begin in September.
[Images: Maziarz/Shutterstock]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Throwing the proverbial fig leaf.