NISSAN recently hogged headlines not for its surge in sales last year, but with a Hollywood-script like drama.
Former Nissan top gun Carlos Ghosn, awaiting trial in Japan on financial misuse charges but who was out on bail, escaped from house arrest in Tokyo in a daring flight to freedom at year-end.
How he managed to elude Japan’s strict airport and immigration rules remains a puzzle.
Initial probe by police indicated he disguised as a musician, and was smuggled out in a large instrument case.
Another theory was security operatives from different countries conspired to ship Ghosn (pronounced “Goon”) out with help from Japanese supporters, with tons of money spent by the super wealthy Nissan exec of Brazilian and Lebanese descents to ensure his undetected escape.
However, flight documents showed that Ghosn boarded private jets from Osaka, Japan, to Istanbul, Turkey, en route to Beirut, Lebanon, where he owns a house.
Almost immediately, Lebanon authorities gave Ghosn, who holds a Lebanese passport, an asylum and since Lebanon has no extradition treaties with Japan, Ghosn is free as a bird to stay in Beirut.
Ghosn was arrested in 2018 right after his private jet had touched down in Japan, and was held for questioning of his alleged illegal colossal salaries from the car company and diversion of Nissan funds into his own private accounts.
Japan’s stringent justice system laws had put Ghosn, 65, behind bars and, later, under house arrest while lawyers figured out a way on how to put the suspect on trial. And while Ghosn is under detention, Nissan executives grappled with uncertainties. The company’s merger with Renault would soon be buffeted by declining sales—almost for both brands.
But just recently, Nissan recorded a stunning rebound and recaptured its lofty standing in the Japan market. Even on Philippine soil, Nissan continued to climb up the billboards securing third spot anew, behind Toyota and Mitsubishi, in the year-end standings based on new data.
If Hollywood goes on to make a movie on Ghosn, Vince Socco, the brand-new chairman of GT Capital Financial, has already a title to it: “Ghosn with the wind.”
Expect a blockbuster should it push through.
Koko comes up strong
SEN. Koko Pimentel quickly defended his endorsement of JoyRide when critics believed to be JoyRide’s rivals surfaced.
Said Pimentel: “In the name of competition—since monopolies are prohibited—I endorsed the request of one company [JoyRide] for the DOTr to include it in the pilot testing.”
The government program is to test three motorcycle taxi services for three months of their capacity and sustainability in maintaining a public-utility mobility on two wheels, based mainly on safety of their passengers.
“There should not be just one company,” said Pimentel, referring to front-running applicant Angkas. “That is prohibited. They should compete in the marketplace. Beat your competitor by getting the people to prefer your app, download it and use it. It should not be the government declaring at the outset that you’re the winner [Angkas], and saying that you’re the only one allowed to operate.”
Angkas was the only player on the first stage of the testing last year, but JoyRide and Move It were later included when the pilot period was extended up to three months from December.
The DOTr allowed 30,000 drivers, of 10,000 each for the three applicants.
Angkas protested, as it said it had a cap of 27,000 drivers already, adding it hated seeing its 17,000 drivers suddenly becoming jobless.
In a radio interview over DWIZ, Pimentel said his Senate office has received a lot of requests for him to allow more applicants.
The ticklish issue will be resolved in March—hopefully.
Honda hot still on deals
HONDA is still hot on its “Cheers for Deals,” extending its discounts bonanza to its City, BR-V, Brio, Civic and CR-V. Check it:
Spokesman Arianne Colene L. Jalalon said customers can avail themselves of the discounts through more than a dozen banks, including BPI Family Savings Bank, RCBC, Security Bank Corp., East West Banking Corp., PNB Savings Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, China Bank Savings, Bank of Commerce, Sterling Bank of Asia, Maybank Philippines Inc., BDO Unibank Inc., United Coconut Planters Bank and Robinsons Bank only.
“Also included in our promos are the three-year LTO registration and chattel mortgage, one-year free one comprehensive insurance,” Jalalon said, adding that the deals are only up to January 31.
What are you waiting for, Honda lovers?
PEE STOP The “musical chairs” phenomenon a.k.a. rigodon in the motoring industry continues as Demosthenes “Bob” Rosales is now the president of Peugeot, replacing Glen Dasig. Dasig is now with the company’s Board as a key cog. Maybe, Dong Magsajo, Peugeot’s communications top gun, will soon be promoted, himself?…Late is never late, especially if the kudos being showered are of the positive kind. And so, here’s a glass anew to Anthony de Leon, the dapper general manager of the swanky Baguio Country Club, for having successfully steered—again—the staging of the just-ended Fil-Am Golf Invitational in the Pines City, in tandem, of course, with Tim Allen of Camp John Hay. Cheers, guys! Happy New Year