Nissan Motor Co. is unwilling to support an arrangement with its alliance partner Renault SA that would place the same person in the chairman's role at both companies, as was the case under detained former leader Carlos Ghosn, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Japanese company would resist appointing new Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard as its own chairman as well, said the person, who asked not to be named. Nissan's board plans to await a governance committee report before making a final decision, the person said.
It's the strongest sign yet of the challenges facing the Franco-Japanese partnership as the sides try to forge a fresh path without Ghosn, who enforced a common vision over two decades through his stature and personality. Nissan is said to be seeking a review of the lopsided power structure. Its chief executive officer, Hiroto Saikawa, has criticized Ghosn for having too much authority and making decisions that weren't in the best interest of the Japanese company.