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© History Oasis
As of this writing, the CEO position is currently vacant—a search is underway for a new CEO.
1898-1944
Louis Renault was the company's founder. He took Renault from a small workshop into France's largest automaker. He innovated early automobile tech with the invention of the direct-drive transmission system. During World War II, his factories produced vehicles for Nazi Germany under occupation. Renault was later accused of collaborating with the Nazis. He was then arrested by French authorities in September 1944 and died in prison in October before trial. After Renault’s death, the company was nationalized and became Régie Renault.
1945-1955
Resistance hero Pierre Lefaucheux rebuilt Renault after WWII. He launched iconic models, including the 4CV, France's first mass-produced car. He built new factories at Flins and initiated the Cléon engine plant project. Lefaucheux died tragically in a car accident in February 1955.
1955-1975
Pierre Dreyfus was the longest-serving CEO who defined Renault's golden age. He launched revolutionary models like the Renault 4 (first mass-market hatchback), Renault 5 (best selling city car), and Renault 16 (family hatchback pioneer). During Dreyfus’s tenure, over 5 million Renault 4 were produced. He also saw the invention of front-wheel drive technology.
1975-1981
Internationalization architect Bernard Vernier-Palliez expanded Renault’s reach into the North American market with the 46% acquisition of American Motors Corporation (AMC), betting heavily on Jeep's future success. He saw the launch of the "world car" concept with Renault 9, designed for both European and American markets. Under his leadership, Renault became Europe's leading auto brand in 1980, producing over 2 million vehicles annually.
1981-1985
Bernard Hanon implemented Socialist government reforms in the company during François Mitterrand's presidency. He introduced a 39-hour work week and five weeks of paid vacation. But Renault’s investment in AMC in America started to fail during his tenure. The costly U.S. operations and economic pressures pushed Renault toward bankruptcy. His tenure ended with the company losing billions of francs.
1985-1986
Georges Besses was a turnaround specialist who brought Renault from the brink of collapse. He implemented drastic cost-cutting measures, closing plants and eliminating 21,000 jobs to stem massive losses. Successfully returned Renault to profitability within 18 months through aggressive restructuring. Sadly, he was assassinated by the terrorist group Action Directe on November 17, 1986, outside his Paris home. His murder was linked to worker anger over mass layoffs.
1986-1992
Raymond Lévy continued Besse's stabilization efforts. In 1987, he sold AMC to Chrysler. He also closed the historic Boulogne-Billancourt factory, ending 90 years of production. He refocused on European operations with smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, stabilizing the company from bankruptcy.
1992-2005
Louis Schweitzer forged the transformative Nissan alliance. He oversaw the privatization of Renault, which ended all state ownership. He launched the revolutionary Renault Scénic MPV, winning European Car of the Year in 1997. Schweitzer acquired 36.8% of financially troubled Nissan in 1999, installing Carlos Ghosn to lead its recovery.
2005-2018
Charismatic "cost killer" Carlos Ghosn simultaneously led both Renault and Nissan. He strengthened the Renault-Nissan Alliance into the world's largest automotive partnership, adding Mitsubishi in 2016. Ghosn saw the launch of electric vehicles with the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe. And achieved record revenues and profits through platform sharing and cost savings. But Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 for alleged financial misconduct. He was accused of understating his salary and misusing company funds. He spectacularly escaped Japan in December 2019 by hiding in a cargo box. Ghosn currently lives in Lebanon as an international fugitive.
2019
Thierry Bolloré became acting CEO after Ghosn's arrest, then permanent CEO in January 2019. He defended Ghosn's legacy while managing alliance tensions with Nissan. Shortly after, Bolloré was fired unanimously by Renault's board in October 2019 after just 10 months. He was accused of a hostile attitude toward Nissan and poor people management.
2019-2020
Clotilde Delbos was the first female acting CEO to stabilize Renault during the leadership crisis. She was a former finance director thrust into the top role after Bolloré's dismissal. She managed a complex relationship with Nissan while the board searched for a permanent replacement. She oversaw Renault during a challenging period of declining sales and alliance tensions.
2020-2025
Luca de Meo launched the "Renaulution" plan: three phases of Resurrection, Renovation, and Revolution. He recovered the company's finances during his tenure, moving from a €7.3 billion loss in 2020 to €967 million profit by 2021. He restructured the company into five divisions, including the electric-focused Ampere subsidiary. He revived iconic models such as EVs: Renault 5, the upcoming Renault 4, and Twingo, and committed to a 100% electric lineup in Europe by 2030.
Current Status: Renault is actively searching for a new CEO following de Meo's departure in July 2025. Leading candidates include Denis Le Vot (Dacia CEO) and Maxime Picat (ex-Stellantis executive).
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