Renault reshuffles top deck after Tavares exit

RENAULT has promoted two senior executives to newly created roles at the top of the French auto group, following the departure last month of chief operating officer Carlos Tavares after he revealed a desire to run General Motors or Ford.

The position of COO has been dropped for now, with Thierry Bollore stepping up as ‘chief competitive officer’ in charge of vehicle development, and Jerome Stoll becoming ‘chief performance officer’ responsible for global sales and marketing.

Former Aston Martin chief commercial officer Michael van der Sande also joins the company as senior vice-president of marketing, reporting to Mr Stoll and replacing Stephen Norman, who will be moving to another still-to-be-named position.

“Our objective was to take fast, transparent action by putting in place a clear and simple organisation,” said Renault chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.

“The aim is threefold: to accelerate and expand our ongoing progress, to ensure performance at group level and to give the regions more responsibility.”

Mr Ghosn confirmed to journalists at the Frankfurt motor show this week that Mr Tavares’ comments about being a potential leader of GM or Ford led directly to his departure.

As GoAuto has reported, Mr Tavares admitted in an interview with Bloomberg that he was unlikely to succeed Mr Ghosn and declared that he would be “honoured” to lead one of the American auto giants.

“We have a big leader and he is here to stay,” Mr Tavares said.

“Anyone who is passionate about the auto industry comes to a conclusion that there is a point where you have the energy and appetite for a number-one position.

“My experience would be good for any car company ... Why not GM? I would be honoured to lead a company like GM.

“GM may have other candidates who are good and if it doesn’t happen, that’s okay. I would consider other companies, but the Detroit companies have succession coming.”

As chief competitive officer, Mr Bollore will be oversee Renault’s design and product programs, engineering and quality, purchasing, manufacturing and supply chain.

He was previously executive vice-president of manufacturing and supply chain, a role that now goes to Renault Spain managing director Jose Vicente de los Mozos.

The company said in a statement that Mr Bollore’s main tasks will be “to reinforce the development of an attractive range of products, to improve product competitiveness, optimise total delivered cost, increase quality and reinforce program profitability”.

As chief performance officer, Mr Stoll will not only lead sales and marketing for Renault, but co-ordinate the group’s regions (Europe, Euromed-Africa, Eurasia, Americas and Asia-Pacific).

“His main missions will be to deliver the company’s revenue, market share and sales profitability targets,” the company said.

Both Mr Stoll and Mr Bollore report directly to Mr Ghosn.