Dramatic Turn at Renault, Luca de Meo Leaves the Diamond Ship

The French car manufacturer announced this Sunday the early departure of its CEO, Luca de Meo.

At 57 years old, Luca de Meo has chosen to conclude this chapter that began in July 2020, on July 15, 2025, to, in his words, “take on new challenges outside the automotive sector.”

Arriving amidst an industrial and financial storm, at the heart of the post-Ghosn crisis and a car market shaken by the pandemic, Luca de Meo leaves behind a group that has been profoundly transformed, financially stabilized, and equipped with a new strategic vision embodied by the “Renaulution” plan.

A builder from the automotive industry

A graduate in business administration from Bocconi University in Milan, Luca de Meo has established himself over the decades as one of the most influential leaders in the European automotive industry. Multilingual, a strategist, and a brand enthusiast, he began his career at Renault in the 1990s before climbing the ranks at Toyota Europe, then Fiat, where he contributed to the revival of the Fiat 500 and repositioned the Abarth brand.

He then joined the Volkswagen group, first to lead Audi’s marketing, then to manage SEAT starting in 2015. There he conducted an impressive commercial turnaround and revived the Catalan brand with a more dynamic identity, alongside restored profitability. This exemplary career paved the way for him to become the CEO of the Renault Group in 2020.

His return to Renault, thirty years after starting there, reflects the manufacturer’s desire to surround itself with a leader who is both visionary and pragmatic. Upon taking office, he initiated a deep transformation plan for the group, aimed at shifting from a volume-based logic to a value-driven strategy.

Orchestrated exit to open succession

The Renault Board of Directors, chaired by Jean-Dominique Senard, praised Luca de Meo’s actions, indicating that the process of designating his successor has already begun, in accordance with the planned succession. Until his actual departure, de Meo will continue to perform his duties, and the current management team remains focused on continuing the group’s transformation.

In a heartfelt tribute, Jean-Dominique Senard emphasized: “For 5 years, Luca de Meo has worked to place Renault Group where it belongs. Under his leadership, our company has regained a solid foundation, it now has a wonderful range of products and has returned to growth. In addition to being an exceptional captain of industry, Luca de Meo is also a creative, committed, passionate, and fascinating man. Today, the entire company joins me in thanking him for these years and all the collective challenges met with success. Personally, I will cherish the quality of our relationships in this adventure, which will remain unforgettable.”

Under his leadership, Renault has improved its financial situation, reduced structural costs, and focused on strong models like the Mégane E-Tech and the electric R5, while repositioning Dacia as a champion of modern frugality. The reorganization around divisions like Ampere (electric) and Horse (thermal engines) has clarified the industrial strategy while attracting new partners.

Luca de Meo claims a rapid and solid turnaround: “There comes a time in one’s life when you know that the work is done. At Renault Group, we have faced immense challenges, and all in less than 5 years! We have done what many thought impossible. Today, the results speak for themselves: the best in our history. A strong team. An agile organization. And a strategic plan ready to support the next generation of products.” He added: “I am leaving a transformed company, looking to the future, to put my experience to use in other sectors and to live other adventures. Leading Renault Group has been a privilege. A human and industrial adventure that only happens once in a lifetime. For this, I will always be grateful to the women and men of this house – the “Renaulutionaries” – for their passion, commitment, and conviction… They are the true engines.”

An future in luxury?

According to several sources, Luca de Meo is preparing to join the Kering group, a heavyweight in the luxury industry (Gucci, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent), the second-largest group in the world by revenue after LVMH. This transition to a completely different universe reflects the versatility of the leader, comfortable in both industrial rigor and the world of brand, image, and style.

With this departure, Renault turns a major page in its recent history. It remains to be seen who will continue the ambitious momentum initiated over the past five years, in a global automotive sector undergoing significant restructuring.

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