Renault SA is considering plans to restructure its alliance with Nissan Motor Co., including giving its Japanese partner more power to contain the growing influence of the French government, people familiar with the matter said.
Renault is proposing options, including cutting its stake in Nissan to trigger its voting rights, said the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are private. A resolution by the board, which met Tuesday, is not expected soon, as the government is not in favor of the move, the people said. Representatives for Renault, Nissan and the government declined comment.
Carlos Ghosn, who is chairman and chief executive officer of both automakers, is seeking to make the alliance more balanced. The 16-year-old partnership is secured by Ghosn's dual roles and cross-shareholdings that favor Renault. The French carmaker owns 43.4 percent of Nissan, which in turn holds 15 percent of Renault. The Japanese company, however, does not have voting rights because the French manufacturer is considered the controlling partner. Those rights could be revived if Renault's stake falls to less than 40 percent, the people said.