Newly revealed emails tied to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein show that the disgraced figure once took an unusual interest in two topics connected to the automotive world. One involved the dramatic arrest of former Carlos Ghosn, the high-profile leader of Nissan Motor Co..
The other centered on Epstein’s apparent determination to obtain one of Japan’s most exclusive luxury cars, the Toyota Century, for use in the United States.
The emails, which surfaced in a broader document release connected to investigations surrounding Epstein’s network, provide a rare glimpse into the financier’s conversations with influential business figures.
Among the recipients was Tom Pritzker, a prominent executive connected to the global hospitality industry.
In messages sent shortly after Ghosn’s arrest in Japan in November 2018, Epstein asked Pritzker if he could help determine why the auto executive was being held.
Epstein’s Interest in the Ghosn Scandal
Ghosn’s detention stunned the automotive industry at the time. As chairman of Renault and a dominant figure within the alliance linking Renault with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, he had spent nearly two decades building one of the most powerful cross-border partnerships in the global car business.
Japanese prosecutors accused him of financial misconduct, including allegations that he underreported income and misused company assets.
In one email exchange, Epstein described the situation in striking terms. He noted that “the Nissan guy Ghosn is being held incommunicado in Tokyo” and suggested the arrest raised questions that deserved further explanation. He appeared eager to gather details from well-connected sources who might have insight into the unfolding corporate and legal drama.
Epstein also contacted Brad S. Karp, the chairman of the New York law firm Paul Weiss, which had early involvement representing Ghosn during the complicated legal fight that followed the arrest. In those messages Epstein implied he might possess information relevant to the case and offered to brief Karp.
The emails later took a different tone. In another message Epstein described Ghosn as “a very very not good guy.” There is no indication in the documents that Epstein actually held insider knowledge about the investigation.
Instead, the correspondence suggests he was attempting to insert himself into conversations surrounding one of the most dramatic leadership collapses in modern automotive history.
The Quest for a Rare Japanese Limousine
Separate emails reveal another curiosity. Years earlier, Epstein had been working through contacts in an attempt to import a Toyota Century into the United States.
The limousine occupies a unique place in Japan’s automotive culture. Built in limited numbers by Toyota Motor Corporation, the car is traditionally favored by senior government officials, business leaders, and members of the Japanese imperial household.
Unlike luxury sedans sold globally, the Century has long been a domestic symbol of prestige in Japan. Its restrained styling, meticulous craftsmanship, and chauffeur-focused interior distinguish it from flashier luxury competitors. For many years it was powered by a V12 engine and assembled largely by hand.
According to the emails, Epstein wanted a specific configuration for the vehicle. He requested a black exterior paired with a light-colored interior and hoped to have the car based in New York City.
Because the model was not officially sold in the United States, obtaining one required navigating complex import regulations and potentially seeking assistance from contacts inside Toyota.
One of Epstein’s associates replied that he would try to reach someone within Toyota’s leadership who might help facilitate the process. The exchange suggested the request could involve approaching a senior executive at the company to see whether a special arrangement might be possible.
It’s not clear to this publication whether Epstein ever succeeded in acquiring the rare Japanese limousine. What the emails do reveal is an unexpected intersection between one of the most controversial figures of the past two decades and two very different corners of the automotive world.
One involved the spectacular downfall of a global auto executive. The other centered on a quiet quest for one of Japan’s most exclusive luxury cars.
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