What is the evaluation for Luca de Meo, who leaves the producer? | EUROtoday
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LOrsque Luca de Meo took the reins of Renault, in July 2020, whose basic administration he left on July 15, 2025, the French producer is at most unhealthy. The arrest of Carlos Ghosn on the finish of 2018 plunged the group into an unprecedented disaster, adopted by the dismissal of its successor Thierry Bolloré. The problem that awaits this Italian polyglot, which relaunched the five hundred at Fiat and makes Seat a hen with gold eggs inside Volkswagen, appears insurmountable.
Read too Luca de Meo: “I can doubt, but I decide quickly” “I am at a stage of my life where I wonder what can motivate me up to 65 years. There are two things: first, find myself in situations that seem impossible to resolve; Then, develop organizations and create leaders, ”he advised us in September 2020 for his first interview on the head of Renault. Six years later, the stability sheet is constructive regardless of some failures. Despite his pressured departure from Russia the place he deserted his Lada nugget, Renault discovered his excellent.
The new fashions of “Renaulution”
From January 2021, De Meo launched his plan “Renaulution”, then welcomed with a sure skepticism. Its technique revolves round three axes: monetary sanitation, already began by the previous monetary director Clothilde Delbos, the renewal of fashions, and technological reinvention.
The product renewal is spectacular as we speak. In the area of 4 years, the Renault vary has been reworked. The electrical R5 and the Scenic received the automotive title of the 12 months, whereas fashions just like the Austral, the Rafale and the Symbioz reposition the model on the premium phase. The share of autos in phase C and better exceeds 40 % of European gross sales in 2024, a historic degree.
Read too How the electrical R5 should restore the picture of RenaultFaced with the challenges of electrification, Luca de Meo makes pragmatic selections. Rather than investing massively within the manufacturing of batteries like its rivals, he opted for strategic partnerships, particularly with the Sino-Japanese industrialist Aesc Invision which settles in Douai (North) within the coronary heart of Electricity. A cautious strategy. He operates an upout organizational degree, notably creating Ampere, which he’ll surrender on IPO.
Forced withdrawal from Russia
The Italian’s mandate whose first job of the profession was at Renault, on the Milan Regional Directorate, is just not free from failures. The struggle in Ukraine pressured Renault to present in its Russian actions, together with Avtovaz (LADA), leading to a lack of 2.3 billion euros. The new alliance with Nissan, alleged to be extra versatile, has not produced the anticipated outcomes. The Japanese producer is struggling as we speak: it has offered its shares within the frequent manufacturing unit in Chennai, India, and had its new electrical micra made on Renault chains in Douai.
On the Alpine aspect, particularly in Formula 1, the revival has not but paid industrial fruits. “Before, the F1 secure was thought-about solely as a price line. Today, it’s an asset that’s value a billion euros and which is on the coronary heart of the Alpine restoration undertaking, “Luca de Meo told us the last time we met him, at the end of May 2024 in Dieppe, during the presentation of the new A390. On the financial side, the results are there. In 2024, Renault posted a turnover of 56.2 billion euros (+ 7.4 %) and a record operating margin of 7.6 %, after 7.9 %in 2023.
The successors expected
When he left, Luca de Meo leaves a transformed Renault. The group has a modern range, restored financial health. On the strategic level, Luca de Meo had to unveil his new “Futurama” plan: will he do it before his departure? It is allowed to doubt it.
To uncover
The kangaroo of the day
Answer
Its successor will nonetheless inherit main challenges: reaching 20 % of electrical energy gross sales in 2025, efficiently upmarket, and handle the ultimate launch of the Alliance with Nissan. To succeed him internally, we consider Fabrice Cambolive, boss of the Renault model, or Philippe Krief, in Alpine. And why not get out of his current retirement Gilles Le Borgne, 63, ex-director of know-how and ex-numéro two officers of the group?
In addition, Wayne Griffiths, the CEO of Seat and Cupra who had succeeded Luca de Meo, introduced his shock resignation in April with out him being appointed elsewhere. Whatever Renault’s subsequent driver, the restoration made by the Italian chief will stay as a spectacular “comeback”.
https://www.lepoint.fr/economie/renault-quel-bilan-pour-luca-de-meo-qui-quitte-le-constructeur-15-06-2025-2592074_28.php