Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has resigned: French economy minister

Embattled Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has resigned, France's economy minister said on Thursday, January 24, ahead of a board meeting at which the French carmaker is to appoint his successors.

A senior director from the firm "received last night the letter of resignation from Carlos Ghosn", who remains detained in Japan, Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told AFP.

READ: Tokyo Court Denies Ex-Nissan Chief Carlos Ghosn's Bail Request

The Renault board is to meet on Thursday, January 24 at its headquarters near Paris and is tipped to name interim chief executive Thierry Bollore as CEO and the head of tyre manufacturer Michelin, Jean-Dominique Senard, as chairman.

READ:  Nissan Unveils New Leaf Car After Carlos Ghosn's Arrest Delays It

Ghosn, who had held both roles, is expected to stay behind bars for several months after seeing a second bail request denied on Tuesday, January 22. 

He faces three separate charges: two of under-declaring his income by tens of millions of dollars over eight years and another of seeking to shift personal investment losses onto Nissan. 

Ghosn was technically in pre-trial detention after being slapped with three separate charges - all of which he denies. Prosecutors believe he under-declared his income in official statements to shareholders between 2010 and 2015 to the tune of some five billion yen ($46 million) in an apparent attempt to avoid accusations he was overpaid. 

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire on January 20 denied talk of a potential merger between Renault and Nissan, despite reports in the Japanese media that Paris was pushing for that outcome.