CAR giant Nissan has said it will dismiss its chairman, Brazilian-born Carlos Ghosn after finding that he under-reported his income “over many years”, among other allegations of misconduct.

The Japanese company said the violations were discovered during an investigation over several months that was instigated by a whistleblower.

Ghosn, 64, also allegedly engaged in personal use of company assets, it said.

Nissan said it was providing information to the prosecutors and cooperating with their investigation. The allegations also concern another Nissan executive, its representative director Greg Kelly.

Nissan’s chief executive Hiroto Saikawa planned to propose to its board that Ghosn and Kelly both be removed from their posts.

“Nissan deeply apologises for causing great concern to our shareholders and stakeholders.

“We will continue our work to identify our governance and compliance issues, and to take appropriate measures,” the company said in a statement.

The allegations are a serious blow at a time when Nissan and another alliance member, Mitsubishi Motor Co, are still overcoming scandals over their quality testing reporting.