Carlos Ghosn bets on China economy, calls on Japan to fix ‘outdated’ justice system

The former CEO turned international fugitive says he is done with corporate life but is still watching the world of business, including China’s carmakers

Ghosn, who fled the country in 2019 while facing financial misconduct charges, is releasing his memoir and is seeking to restore his legacy

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Carlos Ghosn was credited with turning around Renault and Nissan from near bankruptcy. File photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 27 Sep 2021Updated: 7:24pm, 27 Sep 2021

Carlos Ghosn may no longer sit atop the corporate hierarchy, but he hasn’t taken his eye off the world of business – including China’s meteoric economic rise.

In an interview with This Week in Asia, the legendary Nissan CEO-turned-international fugitive predicted China’s economy would go from strength to strength, and that Chinese carmakers would someday be seen in a similar light as prestigious brands such as BMW.

“I have no doubt about this,” said Ghosn, who caused an international sensation in 2019 when he fled Japan hidden inside a musical instrument case while facing financial misconduct charges. “I want to remind you that when the Japanese started building cars, they were cheap and low-quality cars.”

Ghosn, 67, who ranked among the corporate world’s most celebrated leaders before his spectacular downfall, said China was transforming from a nation of fast followers to innovators at the cutting edge of emerging industries such as autonomous vehicles and electric cars.

“One of the areas to follow is in the car industry,” said Ghosn, who has consistently denied wrongdoing and cast himself as a victim of a plot by Nissan executives and Japan’s “hostage justice system”.