Renault Group CEO Luca De Meo, who has been credited with putting the French automaker back on its feet, has quit after five years in the top job, with a successor yet to be announced.
The automaker confirmed the news in an official statement after news reports from French news outlet Le Figaro leaked the Italian’s departure from the company.
“Luca de Meo has announced his decision to step down and pursue new challenges outside the automotive sector,” the company said in a statement.
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“The Board of Directors … expressed their gratitude to Luca de Meo for the turnaround and transformation of Renault Group and accepted that his departure would be effective from July 15, 2025. Luca de Meo will continue to perform his duties until that date.”
According to Le Figaro, Mr De Meo – who has worked in the automotive industry for decades in roles at both Fiat and the Volkswagen Group – will become the CEO of luxury brand Kering, owner of Gucci.
The move follows recent leadership changes at other automakers including Renault-owned Nissan, Volvo and Stellantis, which owns several brands including Renault rivals Citroen – which is no longer sold in Australia – and Peugeot.
The 58-year-old Italian became Renault Group CEO in 2020, overseeing the Dacia and Alpine sub-brands as well as the broader alliance with Japanese automakers Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Dacia vehicles – which are cheaper than equivalent Renaults – are set to be offered in Australia by local Renault importer Ateco Automotive, although they will be badged as Renaults.
Meanwhile, Alpine will make a comeback to Australia after a brief absence with the Alpine A390 electric SUV in 2026.
Mr De Meo brought stability to Renault leadership after replacing Thierry Bollore, who was in the role only 12 months before being dismissed for reasons that weren’t made public.
Mr Bollore had been outspoken about his predecessor Carlos Ghosn, who was infamously smuggled out of Japan after he was arrested and accused of misleading investors and misusing company assets for personal gain, before he escaped to Lebanon which has no extradition treaty with Japan.
During his tenure, Mr De Meo strengthened Renault’s portfolio and focussed on hybrid models, leaving the brand in a healthier position than when he took over the top job, and being praised by some as Renault’s ‘saviour’.
The admiration followed his moves to somewhat insulate the automaker from the threat of Chinese electric vehicles and significant US import tariffs.
While the Renault brand does not sell cars in the US, North America is a key market for its Mitsubishi and Nissan partners, with Nissan operating three factories in the US.
His move may also impact the Alpine brand that has Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship campaigns, which he was heavily engaged with.
Renault is represented by the Sydney-based Ateco group in Australia, where the Renault Trafic and Master commercial vans are its best-sellers. The aged Koleos mid-size SUV is its most popular passenger vehicle year-to-date.
Mr De Meo’s replacement is yet to be announced, following a resignation that seemingly caught the company off guard.
“The Board of Directors has expressed its confidence in the quality and experience of the management team to continue and accelerate Renault Group’s transformation strategy into this new phase,” it said in a statement.
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