Renault boss Luca de Meo quits

The Renault Group has confirmed its CEO, Luca de Meo, will leave the car-making giant after five years in the role, with reports suggesting he is off to run luxury brands Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

Arriving from SEAT and Cupra, the Italian CEO was the mastermind behind the French brand’s ‘Renaulution’ business plan that saw it revive the Renault 5 as an EV, expand its SUV offering and relaunch Alpine as an EV brand.

Confirming he had decided to “pursue new challenges outside the automotive sector”, Renault said de Meo will depart on July 15, with the European car-maker announcing the hunt to find his successor is already underway.

The Renault chief’s decision to leave the car industry was a complete surprise, with many rumours linking de Meo as the likely candidate to fill the CEO role at Stellantis as recently as last year, before Antonio Filosa took the helm.

Late in 2024 de Meo denied he had any intention of leaving Renault, telling media he still had a “job to do” at the French firm.

As well as his legacy at Renault, de Meo had recently served as President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), where he lobbied car-makers across the region to all introduce a class of small European city cars to fend off the influx of cheap Chinese imports.

“There comes a time in one’s life when one knows the job is done,” said de Meo in a statement released by Renault.

“The results speak for themselves: they are the best in our history.

“We have a strong team and an agile organisation. We also have a strategic plan ready for the next generation of products. That is why I have decided it is time for me to hand over the baton.”

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