Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 23
Nissan Shareholders Oust Director Motoo Nagai as Renault Withholds 15% Voting Support
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 23

Nissan Shareholders Oust Director Motoo Nagai as Renault Withholds 15% Voting Support

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 23

Summary

  • Nissan shareholders voted against Motoo Nagai’s board reappointment at Tuesday’s annual meeting, ending the influential outside director’s tenure.
  • Renault’s withdrawal of support helped sink Nagai after a rare public standoff over the vote; the French carmaker owns 36% of Nissan but can exercise only 15% of voting rights.
  • Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa said the other 11 director candidates won the majority needed for appointment or reappointment.
  • The result underscores governance strains between Nissan, its top shareholder Renault and creditor interests, bringing unusual public conflict to Japan’s normally subdued shareholder meetings.

Insights

Is Renault's boardroom challenge a power grab or the final crack in its historic alliance with Nissan?
As tensions flare, will a weakened Honda be forced into a new merger deal with a resurgent Nissan?