Renault has appointed François Provost as its new CEO - Renault taps Francois Provost as its new chief executive officer
François Provost has taken the helm as the new CEO of Renault Group, effective from July 2025. With a reputation for strategic vision and international experience, Provost is set to steer the automotive giant towards a future of global growth, operational efficiency, innovation, and electrification.
Prior to his appointment, Provost had been a part of the Renault family since 2002. His tenure as CEO marks a strategic continuity, with an accelerated push towards global expansion, electrification leadership, and innovation in mobility.
Under Provost's leadership, Renault is focusing on doubling down on international expansion through enhanced global partnerships and high-performance standards aligned with the company's core values. The strategic direction also emphasises urban mobility solutions and digital innovation to meet evolving customer needs.
Renault is committed to sustainability and electrification, aiming for 65% electrified sales in Europe by 2025 and 90% by 2030. This commitment supports the company's carbon neutrality goals by 2040.
In addition to this, Provost aims to achieve significant cost reduction targets, notably a €3 billion fixed cost reduction by 2025, while maintaining a 5% operating margin to build financial resilience in a challenging market environment.
Financially, Renault's outlook under Provost remains optimistic but cautious. The company is emphasising cost management, profitable sales channels, and maintaining strong plant utilization. This flexible business model supports a portfolio of combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles adaptable to rapid technological and market changes.
The company’s half-year financial results published at the end of July 2025 are expected to reflect these ambitions and the early impact of Provost’s leadership.
The Renault Group has stated that Provost will continue and accelerate its transformation, with a focus on maintaining agility in operations while leveraging the Group’s robust product portfolio and innovative organisational model.
In the interim, Duncan Minto had been temporarily leading Renault since July 15. Provost's appointment marks a new chapter in Renault's journey, with a focus on strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and a commitment to shaping the future of the automotive sector.
Luca de Meo, the former CEO of Renault Group, has been replaced by François Provost, who was previously the provost and chief of staff. The change in leadership comes as part of Renault's focus on strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and electrification.
Under Provost's leadership, Renault is aiming to further emphasise its commitment to the global transportation industry, with a targeted 65% electrified sales in Europe by 2025 and 90% by 2030. The company is also focusing on achieving significant cost reduction targets, with a goal of a €3 billion fixed cost reduction by 2025.
The automotive giant is striving for financial resilience in a challenging market environment, with a flexible business model that supports a portfolio of combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles adaptable to rapid technological and market changes. Financial analysts anticipate that Renault's half-year financial results, published at the end of July 2025, will reflect these ambitious goals and the early impact of Provost’s leadership.
