Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa will step down because of a scandal involving inflated stock-linked bonuses, thus deepening the turmoil that has enveloped the Japanese carmaker since the arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan pledged to put more focus on mending its troubled two-decade alliance with Renault as the Japanese carmaker’s boisterous shareholders voted to give the French partner more say over its future.

Nissan plans to recall 1.2m cars in Japan after it discovered final vehicle inspections were not performed by authorised technicians.