Auto government turned worldwide fugitive Carlos Ghosn believes German automakers are finest positioned to problem electrical car chief Tesla.

Ghosn, talking from Lebanon the place the previous Nissan chairman fled to allude Japanese authorities, talked about Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen particularly throughout an interview Friday with CNBC’s Phil LeBeau throughout “The Change.”

“In my view, it will be a German firm,” Ghosn stated. “The Germans are the primary ones who, after criticizing the electrical automotive closely in 2008 and mocking it, found swiftly that they wanted to maneuver, and moved swiftly.”

Ghosn, who’s selling a brand new e-book known as “Damaged Alliances: Contained in the Rise and Fall of a International Automotive Empire,” stated the Japanese automakers have been sluggish to maneuver towards electrical automobiles, and it will harm them. He didn’t point out Basic Motors or Ford Motor, each of that are investing billions within the applied sciences.

Volkswagen has been notably aggressive in increasing its EV gross sales globally. The German automaker needs greater than 70% of its Volkswagen model’s European gross sales shall be EVs by 2030. Within the U.S. and China, it expects half of its gross sales to be EVs by that time-frame.

Concerning the latest surge in electrical car start-ups, Ghosn stated he believes loads of the businesses will “prosper so long as they put their act collectively.” He didn’t point out any by identify, however a number of the most high-profile corporations embody Rivian, Lucid, Fisker and Lordstown Motors.

“I am very optimistic about a number of the start-ups turning round electrical automotive and autonomous automobiles,” Ghosn stated.

Ghosn, who has maintained his innocence, has stated he escaped Japan as a result of he had “zero probability” of getting a good trial. He secretly fled the nation on Dec. 29, 2019 with the assistance of a former U.S. Military Inexperienced Beret and his son, each of whom are serving jail sentences in Japan. Michael Taylor and his son Peter Taylor have been arrested by U.S. authorities in Massachusetts in spring 2020 and extradited to Japan in March.

When requested concerning the Taylors, Ghosn reiterated issues about Japan’s authorized system and their excessive conviction charges.

“I really feel dangerous for them. I really feel dangerous for all of the people who find themselves going by means of the system, notably if you’re a foreigner,” he stated.

Ghosn was initially arrested in Japan on accusations of economic misconduct and misuse of company sources in November 2018.

Ghosn reiterated Friday that he hopes to at some point go away Lebanon.