Carlos Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn
Ghosn in 2014
Carlos Ghosn
Born	9 3, 1954
Birthplace	Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
Nationality	Brazilian, French, Lebanese
Occupation	Business executive
Known for	CEO of Renault and Nissan, chairman of Mitsubishi Motors, escape from Japan
Education	École Polytechnique, École des Mines de Paris
Awards	Automotive Hall of Fame inductee, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Strategic Management Society

Carlos Ghosn (Template:IPA-fr; Template:Lang-ar; born 9 March 1954) is a Brazilian-born French-Lebanese businessman and former automotive executive who rose to become one of the most prominent figures in the global automobile industry during the first two decades of the twenty-first century. He served as chief executive officer of Michelin North America, chairman and CEO of Renault, chairman and CEO of Nissan, chairman of Mitsubishi Motors, and chairman of AvtoVAZ. Ghosn became internationally recognized in the early 2000s for orchestrating the turnaround of Nissan, which had been on the brink of bankruptcy when Renault acquired a major stake in the Japanese automaker in 1999. His aggressive cost-cutting measures and restructuring plans earned him the nickname "Le Cost Killer" in the business press, and Nissan's return to profitability under his leadership was widely studied in business schools around the world. In November 2018, Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo on charges of financial misconduct at Nissan, including allegations that he had understated his compensation and misused corporate funds. While awaiting trial under house arrest in late 2019, he fled Japan in a dramatic escape that involved being smuggled out of the country concealed inside a large equipment box loaded onto a private jet. He has since resided in Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan.

Early Life

Carlos Ghosn was born on 9 March 1954 in Porto Velho, the capital of the state of Rondônia in northwestern Brazil. His family was of Lebanese descent. His paternal grandfather had emigrated from Lebanon to Brazil, and the family maintained close ties to their Lebanese heritage. Ghosn's father was involved in business in the Amazon region of Brazil. At the age of six, Ghosn moved with his mother and sister to Beirut, Lebanon, where he spent much of his childhood and completed his early schooling.

Growing up in Lebanon, Ghosn attended a Jesuit school in Beirut, where he received a rigorous academic education. He became fluent in multiple languages during his formative years, including Arabic, French, and Portuguese, and later acquired proficiency in English and Japanese. This multilingual background would prove to be a significant asset in his later career as a multinational executive.

Education

At age 18, Ghosn moved to Paris for higher education, entering France's elite engineering schools. He graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1974, one of France's most prestigious grandes écoles, and then earned a degree from the École des Mines de Paris in 1978. This educational pedigree positioned him for leadership in French industry and gave him the technical foundation that would underpin his later reputation as a data-driven executive focused on efficiency and measurable results.

Career

Michelin

Ghosn began his career at Michelin, the French tire manufacturer, in 1978 as a management trainee. Over the next 18 years, he rose rapidly through the ranks across multiple continents. He managed Michelin's operations in France, Germany, and the United States, gaining international experience that would prove invaluable in his later career. In 1989, he was appointed head of Michelin's North American operations, based in Greenville, South Carolina, where he oversaw the company's research and development, manufacturing, and sales across the continent. His success at Michelin, particularly his aggressive cost-cutting and turnaround work at unprofitable operations, established his reputation as a skilled corporate executive willing to make tough decisions. He became known for using detailed data analysis to identify inefficiencies and implementing sweeping reorganizations to eliminate waste.

Renault

In 1996, Ghosn joined Renault as Executive Vice President in charge of manufacturing, purchasing, and engineering. Renault was struggling financially at the time, facing intense competition and inefficient operations. Ghosn quickly implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures that became his signature approach: he reduced the supplier base by more than 40%, renegotiated contracts, closed unprofitable facilities, and eliminated redundant positions. Within three years, he had helped restore Renault to profitability, saving the French automaker from potential collapse. His success at Renault caught the attention of senior management and positioned him as the natural choice when Renault needed someone to rescue its new Japanese partner.

Nissan Turnaround

In 1999, when Renault acquired a 36.8% stake in the struggling Nissan Motor Company, Ghosn was sent to Japan as Chief Operating Officer to lead a turnaround. Nissan was on the verge of bankruptcy, carrying $20 billion in debt and suffering from outdated products, excess capacity, and bureaucratic management. Ghosn implemented a dramatic restructuring plan that closed five factories, eliminated thousands of jobs, and divested non-core assets. By 2001, Nissan had returned to profitability, marking one of the most successful corporate turnarounds in automotive history. Ghosn's reputation as a turnaround specialist was cemented, and he subsequently rose to become President and CEO of Nissan in 2001.

Legal Issues

In November 2018, Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo on charges of financial misconduct at Nissan, including allegations that he had understated his compensation and misused corporate funds. He was released on bail but remained under house arrest pending trial. In December 2019, while still awaiting trial, Ghosn fled Japan in one of the most dramatic corporate escapes in history, concealing himself inside a large equipment box that was loaded onto a private jet. He subsequently relocated to Lebanon, a country with no extradition treaty with Japan, placing himself beyond the reach of Japanese authorities. As of 2026, Ghosn remains a fugitive from Japanese justice.

External links

• Carlos Ghosn on Prisonpedia