Nissan’s chief performance officer Jose Munoz has reportedly resigned from the company, after taking a leave of absence a week ago in order to focus on special tasks relating to the ongoing probe of ex-CEO Carlos Ghosn.
Automotive News obtained a message sent by Munoz to colleagues, where it said that he had decided to leave the company following “some period of serious contemplation.” He will continue helping Nissan with its investigation.
“Unfortunately, Nissan is currently involved in matters that have and will continue to divert its focus,” Munoz said in his message. “As I have repeatedly and recently made clear to the company, I look forward to continuing to assist Nissan in its investigations.”
The new developments indicate that the Ghosn scandal is now spreading to Nissan’s worldwide operations. Munoz was one of the top executives at Nissan and was considered not just a close ally of Ghosn but also the successor to the current CEO Hiroto Saikawa.
Last Saturday, Nissan said that Munoz has taken a leave of absence “to allow him to assist the company by concentrating on special tasks arising from recent events.” This resulted into canceling his planned appearance at the CES in Las Vegas.
Munoz has been leading the company’s North America operations since 2014, driving Nissan’s US sales to new highs.
