This is the question the day after the surprise announcement of Luca de Meo de Renault’s departure: Who will take his continuation to the general management of the group? The Italian leader is in office until July 15, but in his press release published on Sunday night, the manufacturer specifies that “the Board of Directors launched the process of appointing a new managing director on the basis of the Succession Plan already defined.” And if nothing has been confirmed, of course, the names already circulate.
The name of Denis Le Vot, the general director of Dacia, is mentioned by the media and analysts. Appointed at the beginning of 2021 in this position, it contributed significantly to Dacia’s turn to more green models (electric spring, hybrid models) and richer in equipment (such as the great SUV of segment B Bigster). “Another track could be Josep Maria Recasens, head of the manufacturer’s strategy since 2021 and, more recently, appointed CEO (managing director, Editor’s note) of Ampere since the beginning of April,” adds Oddo BHF.
A candidate in Stellantis’s pool?
Renault could also look for his future competition leader. “Recent changes (especially management, editor’s note) intervened in Stellantis could constitute a group of candidates,” Bank Jefferies said.
A name returns insistently, enjoying “an excellent reputation,” according to Oddo BHF: that of Maxime Picat. Purchasing Director in Stellantis, given as a high potential executive of the group, is a candidate disappointed with the succession of Carlos Tavares. In addition to his good knowledge of the sector, the product (was director of Peugeot), also has an approach on purpose Industrial tool (he was factory director in China for PSA).
Renault to Stellantis (and vice versa) transfers are not uncommon. Carlos Tavares had taken the front of the PSA (which in 2021 Stellantis in 2021 after the merger with Fiat Chrysler) in 2014, after being Deputy Managing Director and, therefore, number two in Renault. Gilles Le Borgne, former director of Engineering at Renault, previously held the same position at Peugeot SA. This framework had a fundamental role in the recovery of Renault. The same goes for Gilles Vidal, design director who made the same path.
A Volkswagen stranger?
Another name that circulates: Wayne Griffiths. The former CEO of Seat and Cupra (brands belonging to Volkswagen) left his position in April 2025 “at his”, after being appointed in 2020 at the head of the Spanish group, an unexpected exit. He had participated in the rise of Cupra, a sports label, which has become a brand in its own right dedicated in particular to Electric.
“It would be a good option for the former SEAT CEO that surprised more than one by building the Cupra brand and finally giving Cupra/Seat a relevant market position without altering the positioning of the VW group and its political problems,” the German specialist Matthias Schmidt said in a position on Linkedin. Keep in mind that Luca De Meo also participated in the emancipation of Cupra, since he himself occupied the head of 2015 to 2020.
An former Renault former?
A consensus arises from analysts to notice that Luca de Meo’s departure is “a hard blow” for Renault, as Bernstein writes.
“We are saddened by Luca de Meo de Meo de Renault. What is particularly frustrating is that we believe that a large number of investors shared our opinion according to which former financial director Thierry Piéton would have been the obvious replacement of Luca de Meo if this question had been raised last year,” we can read in Bernstein’s note.
The interested part changed the sector when leaving in March in Medtronic, where he officiates as financial director. “Thierry Pieton is very impressive and certainly still has the necessary knowledge and skills to lead Renault. We hope it appears in a good place in the list of potential candidates of the Renault Board of Directors to replace Meo,” the design office expects.
Source: BFM TV
