Renault Kicks Off CEO Search After De Meo’s Surprise Exit

Renault SA is under pressure to quickly find a replacement for Chief Executive Officer Luca de Meo after the shock news of his planned departure, as the industry grapples with rising trade tensions and intense competition from Chinese manufacturers led by BYD Co.

The board led by Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard is looking at internal and external CEO candidates including Dacia boss Denis Le Vot and Stellantis NV purchasing chief Maxime Picat, according to people familiar with the matter. Renault aims to pick a successor to De Meo before he steps down on July 15, said the people, who asked not to be named because the deliberations are private.