Renault

Executive Director Jean-Marc F. Blanchard interviewed for Asian Sentinel story on Brilliance Boss’s HK Bribery Probe and Risks for JVs

On August 13, 2023, Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, was interviewed by Asian Sentinel regarding the arrest in Hong Kong of the chairman of Brilliance China Automotive Holdings and the arrest’s potential implications for its joint venture partners, which include BMW and Renault. According to Asian Sentinel, Brilliance manufactures and sells certain types of cars, mini-buses, and other vehicles in China for these German and French automobile firms. Dr.

MNCs in the News-2019-06-21

China Premier Li Keqiang works to lure foreign direct investment (FDI) during the Global CEO Council in Beijing. In 2018, the deal value of European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in China soared by 856 percent to USD $9.94 billion. European Union (EU)-China talks on a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment and China’s negative list show better progress than expected. Brazilian Vice President welcomes Chinese FDI in infrastructure as long as it creates jobs and respects Brazilian rules. Around the time of the G-20, French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss issues about the Renault-Nissan alliance with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Numerous Japanese corporate subsidiaries in the United States have voiced opposition to Donald Trump’s proposal to slap tariffs of 25 percent on another $300 billion of Chinese products. Tokyo has requested Seoul to establish an arbitration panel consisting of representatives selected by other countries to help deal with their wartime forced labor compensation dispute. Seoul prepared to block a deal that would sell Taihan Electric Wire to a Chinese company because it deems Taihan’s high-voltage cable technologies a “‘national core technology.’”

MNCs in the News-2019-04-19

Chinese firms producing and using coal not energized by institutional investor promises to divest trillions of dollars in the fossil fuels sector. China moves to bring vigor and vim to the elderly nursing home sector through measures to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI). Chinese anti-competition authorities dial in to Ericsson for potential antimonopoly practices in licensing patents. China creates international tax cooperation mechanism under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) called the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism (BRITACOM). Energy Foundation China President contends China’s BRI will spark “transition to a sustainable energy future”! Japan woos Eastern and Central Europe away from BRI even while expressing support for latter. Leaked emails reveal Tokyo last spring put the brakes on any potential Renault-Nissan merger. Korean President visits Hyundai Engineering Co.’s mega $30 billion Kiyanly plant in Turkmenistan and vows to support Korean companies working with the latter. South Korea’s finance minister announces Seoul will prepare for inter-Korean economic projects in case there is an easing of sanctions on Pyongyang.

MNCs in the News-2018-08-24

China cannot rely on United States (US) business community in China to pressure Washington to temper the current trade war. Foreign companies’ desire to take full control of their securities and financial management companies in China may be impeded by the US-China trade war. US-China trade war forces foreign companies in China at the lower-end of the value added chain to consider all kinds of new strategies. Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2018 rises by 14.1 percent in dollar terms over the same seven month period in 2017. Nissan to deepen its China ties due to uncertainties in the US as well as in Europe relating to Brexit. Daiwa Securities will move to set up majority owned securities unit in China due to the revision of foreign ownership stake limits. South Korea to investigate foreign companies over their practices to protect customer data. South Korea Innovation begins construction of electric vehicle battery factory that will be the first JV involving a Chinese automaker and a foreign battery maker.

MNCs in the News-2018-05-25

China’s State Council moves to spread best practices from China’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs) elsewhere in China. Muji hung out again for its improper treatment of the Taiwan issue. In Beijing, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warns of further potential restrictions on Chinese investment in the absence of reciprocity. Fears of having to disclose details of loans for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) spur Chinese financial institutions to continue to bank on Pakistan. Motivated by forthcoming regulatory changes, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. to buy 37.5 percent stake in state-backed Chinese life insurer. Nissan and Renault reviewing tie-up driven by French Government. Trump’s cancellation of US-North Korea summit dashes hopes of lifting international sanctions against North Korea and jumpstarting inter-Korean projects. South Korean electric battery firms charged up as China Association of Automobile Manufacturers’ whitelist highlights capabilities of Korean batteries. Chinese investors pledge to continue investing in Malaysia given new government offers conducive business environment and political stability. Foreign investors increasingly concerned about Malaysia’s fiscal health as national debt is far higher than previously revealed.

Dr. Toshiya Ozaki's picture

Nissan’s Investment in Mitsubishi Motors

Dr. Toshiya Ozaki
Posted: Jun 15, 2016

In mid-May, Nissan Motor Co. surprised Japan when it announced it would invest $2.2 billion in Mitsubishi Motors to gain effective control of the latter. The surprise was twofold. First, the announcement’s speed and timing astounded many.

MNCs in the News-2015-12-04

China’s General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine announces recall of more than 10,000 Mercedes cars due to airbag defects. China moves to develop “Made in China” drugs. China’s rising overseas economic presence reflected in its negotiations with Djibouti to build a logistics hub. Top Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) leader highlights potential for further Chinese investment in Africa. At the latest China-Africa Cooperation Summit, Xi Jinping oversees expansion of Chinese economic cooperation with South Africa and other African countries. Ambitious $50 billion Nicaragua canal plan delayed by at least one year, intensifying doubts about its viability. Sino-Russian joint venture (JV) set up to build rail equipment for Moscow-Kazan high-speed rail line. Xiamen University to invest in campus in Malaysia that will support the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. Bank of China facing $50,000/day fine under US District Court contempt order. Nissan moves to limit French government and Renault interference in Nissan-Renault alliance. Japan agrees to provide funding to Indonesia for various mass transit and power projects. Japanese firm lands power deals with Botswana. British firms eager to exploit public-private partnership opportunities in Thailand. Thai Prime Minister emphasizes need for Thai-China railway to move forward. Indonesian government seems reluctant to start early negotiations with Freeport-McMoRan about the Grasberg mine. Vietnam reports significant increase in foreign direct investment inflows up to November 2015.