Sources have told Reuters that Nissan plans to make aggressive cost cuts to deal with an unexpected sales slump.

Reuters was told Japan's second-biggest carmaker aims to cut at least 4300 white-collar jobs.

And close two manufacturing sites as part of plans to add $4.4 billion to its bottom line by 2023.

Under Ghosn - who was arrested in Japan in November 2018 - Nissan expanded globally.

His approach raised their ability to add new models and drive into markets like India and Russia.

But many of those models are now missing sales goals.

Executives at Nissan estimate up to 40% of its global manufacturing capacity is unused - or underused.

Some bosses worry the firm could post another loss at its carmaking business in the last quarter of 2019.

As for Renault: the French automaker named Luca de Meo as its next chief executive on Tuesday.

The appointment of the former Seat head draws a line under a year of turmoil and completes a long-awaited management shake-up.

One of de Meo's first big jobs will be to reset the strained alliance with Nissan.

Nissan said it welcomed change at its partner.