From Detroit Free Press

As the world turns in the automotive industry, could Renault-Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn still be the white knight for Ford Motor Co. after all?

In a thinly disguised threat, Ghosn intimated to the world's largest automaker that he would take his visions for a North American automotive partner to somebody else if General Motors doesn't get on board with his money-saving mission.

"Frankly, expansion of the alliance to a North American partner makes sense," Ghosn said at an event that preceded the Paris Motor Show. "Today we discuss with one particular company. In three weeks, there will be a conclusion."

With the Auburn Hills, MI-based Chrysler unit already part of Germany's DaimlerChrysler AG, it's not exactly a secret who that somebody else in North America might be.

Not only did Ford Chairman Bill Ford approach Ghosn earlier for the CEO post he just gave to former Boeing Co. executive Alan Mulally, but Ford privately called Ghosn in July to discuss a partnership if the GM talks fail. Ford also seemed to make a public offering of consideration to Renault-Nissan on CNBC.

On Wednesday, the Dearborn, MI-based Ford, which is struggling to get its second turnaround effort off the ground after posting a $1.4-billion loss in the first half of the year, kept an open posture toward Renault-Nissan.

Ford's chief financial officer, Don Leclair, said during an interview in Paris that Ford continues to look at "all manner of things" regarding potential alliances. He added, "We've concluded for now that what we want to focus on is fixing our business."

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