Ex-Mitsubishi Boss Pierre Gagnon leaves Malcolm Bricklin's Visionary Vehicles

L.A. or New York? Visionary's Location Squabble Most Likely Only Part of the Problem

Malcolm Bricklin's Visionary Vehicles LLC, the North American arm of China's Chery Automobile Co. looks to be experiencing

After a controversial hiring of ex-Mitsubishi Motors North America boss Pierre Gagnon, he has now resigned after only three months on the job. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

growing pains even before getting off the ground.

After a controversial hiring of ex-Mitsubishi Motors North America boss Pierre Gagnon, the same CEO who many analysts blamed for the ill-conceived "no money, no credit, no problem" lending policies which, along with other problems in the North American division and further complications within the brand's domestic market in Japan, nearly bankrupted the automaker, the executive, who was serving as president and COO of Visionary Vehicles, resigned last month.

The move comes as a surprise, as Gagnon was only hired in March and was extremely excited about his appointment, initially telling Wards Auto "I was keeping my eyes open

Bricklin (shown) wants the head office in New York, and Gagnon wanted it in California. (Photo: Visionary Vehicles)

(for) the first person to start bringing vehicles in from China, (thinking) I'd be very interested in trying to join them... So this is like a dream come true, because I didn't think it would happen this quickly."

So what happened? Was it because Gagnon didn't believe the Chinese-based automaker had much of a future in North America? Not likely. Or was it due to a better offer from a more established automaker? Possibly. According to the two principals involved, it just came down to differing opinions about key issues, such as where the new manufacturer's North American headquarters should be located.