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Nissan files civil suit against Ghosn, seeking $91 million in damages

TOKYO — Nissan filed a civil suit Wednesday seeking 10 billion yen ($91 million) in damages from the Japanese automaker's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn. Nissan filed the case in Yokohama District Court to recoup some of the monetary damages suffered, it said, “as a result of years of misconduct and fraudulent activity" by Ghosn. The claim was calculated by adding the costs from what Nissan called Ghosn's “corrupt practices,” such as rent for overseas property, use of corporate jets and payments to Ghosn's sister, as well as costs for the internal investigation into Ghosn's alleged wrongdoings. Representatives of Ghosn said in a statement they couldn't comment as they had yet to see the legal documents. “Nissan's maneuvers continue,” they said, while noting Nissan had claimed larger damages before. Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades and saved it from near-bankruptcy, was arrested in Japan in November 2018, and charged with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust in diverting Nissan money for personal gain. He was awaiting trial but skipped bail and showed up in Lebanon late last year. Japan has no extradition treaty with Lebanon, and he's unlikely to be arrested. A date had not been set for his trial, and Ghosn has said he was worried his ordeal would never end and he would not get a fair hearing. The bail conditions also barred him from seeing his wife. He has repeatedly lashed out at Japan's judicial system, where the conviction rate is higher than 99%. Japanese authorities recently issued an arrest warrant for Ghosn and three Americans, accused of helping his escape. Separately, they issued an arrest warrant for Ghosn's wife on suspicion of perjury. Ghosn has repeatedly said he is innocent, saying that the promised compensation had never been decided, and all the payments were for legitimate services. Wednesday's lawsuit by Nissan comes on top of the civil case Nissan filed against Ghosn in the British Virgin Islands in August last year. It alleged unauthorized payments, sought to regain a luxury yacht and pursued other damages, according to Nissan. Yokohama-based Nissan, which makes the Z sportscar, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models, is also facing trial in Japan as a company in relation to Ghosn's scandal. It has indicated it will agree to any penalties. Nissan's reputation has been sorely tarnished over the Ghosn fiasco, and its sales have dropped. Nissan reports financial results Thursday.

Nissan introduces new Lannia sedan in China [w/videos]

Take a good look at the vehicle you see here, because you may never see it again. That's because it was designed specifically for the Chinese market and is not likely to ever be exported far beyond its borders. It's called the Nissan Lannia, and it's the production version of the Friend-Me concept showcased two years ago in Shanghai and the Lannia concept unveiled in Beijing last year. It's a sedan targeted specifically at trendsetting Chinese buyers in their 20s and 30s, designed and developed locally by Nissan Design China and unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. The styling bears many hallmarks of the Japanese automaker's latest design language, particularly up front with its V-shaped grille treatment and sharply shaped headlights. The C-pillar looks signature Nissan as well, but leads to what looks like rather ungainly rear proportions somewhat disguised by dynamic styling elements. Details remain few and far between, but you can bet it packs a small engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Introducing the All-New Nissan Lannia April 20 – Shanghai – Nissan unveiled the all-new Lannia at Auto Shanghai 2015 on Monday, a culmination of vision taking the car from concept to reality. Two years ago in Shanghai, Nissan introduced the Friend-Me Concept, followed by the Lannia Concept in 2014 at the Beijing Motor Show, and Lannia is the tangible expression of the company's commitment to China. Building on Nissan's longstanding success in the sedan market, it's the first product developed and designed for young Chinese generations, especially those in their 20s and 30s, seen as the nation's trendsetters. "Edging forward is not enough. The market in China is moving very fast, especially with the post-1980s generation," says Titus Liu, Creative Design Manager at Nissan Design China. "They do not want to stick with the status quo, so we are dedicated to finding the next great breakthrough. This is important for us." Design and development was led by Nissan Design China, backed by the Nissan Global Design Center. Lannia's styling speaks to rising Chinese who want to set themselves apart as both edgy and sophisticated, resulting in a stylish new look for a sedan that goes against conventions.

Japanese automakers kick in $800k for new charging-station company

Cynics may say that gathering $800,000 (total) from four of Japan's largest automakers is merely a rounding error. Still, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi, along with the Development Bank of Japan, are putting those funds to good use. So, that's something. Last week, those five entities officially founded Nippon Charge Service LLC. The company was established to promote plug-in vehicle charging installations across Japan and the automakers seeded it with 80 million yen, or about $786,000 US. Those funds will be used to help business owners deploy charging stations at convenience stores, highway-side locales and other locations that will make it easier for plug-in vehicle drivers (of Toyotas, Hondas, Mitsubishis and Nissans, obviously) to get their juice. The automakers first announced they'd collaborate last year, when they said they'd work with the Japanese government to more than triple the country's publicly accessible chargers to about 17,000 units. No targets were disclosed as far as how many charging stations would be deployed this time out, but, in a move similar to the EZ Charge system in the US, Nippon Charge Service will also have universally-accepted charging cards available by the end of the year to drivers all of those brands' plug-in vehicles to make the charging process a little more seamless. Check out Honda's press release below. Japan Automakers Advance Electric Charging Infrastructure with New Company, Nippon Charge Service -Established to help build charging infrastructure for electric-powered vehicles (PHVs, PHEVs and EVs)- Toyota Motor Corporation Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Development Bank of Japan Inc. TOKYO, Japan, May 30, 2014 - Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation jointly established a new company, Nippon Charge Service, LLC, on May 26 to promote the installation of chargers for electric-powered vehicles (PHVs, PHEVs, EVs). The goal is to help build a charging network that offers more convenience to drivers in Japan. The new company will promote the installation of chargers, for the good of society and to expand the use of electric-powered vehicles. Related industries are also expected to benefit. Development Bank of Japan Inc.