Renault's Ghosn Says He Has 'Multiple' Proofs in Electric-Car Spying Case
Renault SA Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn said he has “multiple” evidence that some of the company’s executives have been involved in leaks of its business model about the electric cars it’s developing.
“We have certainties,” Ghosn said on TF1 television today. “All these elements will be passed on to justice.”
Company secrets that may have been stolen regard business plans to make electric cars “affordable,” Ghosn said. “We have no evidence that the technology” was leaked, he said.
Renault, based in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt, on Jan. 13 filed a criminal complaint, citing allegations of industrial espionage, corruption, breach of trust and theft, Bloomberg reported. Three executives who have been fired have denied wrongdoing.
Renault and alliance partner Nissan Motor Co. have invested a combined 4 billion euros ($5.4 billion) in electric-car technology, including lithium-ion batteries developed by the Japanese carmaker in a venture with NEC Corp. to power its Leaf model and other Renault vehicles.
The spying case will “in no case” lead Renault to delay the launch of three electric cars this year, Ghosn also told TF1 today.
More Industry

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →