Nissan Motor Co. President Hiroto Saikawa said Friday he had spoken to Renault's new chairman on the phone for the first time and that the pair pledged to work together in managing the auto alliance, while also indicating that he may step down from his own post at Nissan in coming months.
Renault picked Jean-Dominique Senard on Thursday to replace Carlos Ghosn, who has been detained in Japan for alleged financial misconduct, as chairman. Nissan ousted Ghosn, who has denied all accusations against him, as its chairman following his arrest in November.
Saikawa declined to comment on the details discussed in the phone call Thursday, but told reporters that as the alliance between the Japanese and French carmakers "will turn a new page, I would like to have sufficient communication" with the new Renault management.