Luca de Meo
Born 1967 · Age 58
Italian automotive executive; former CEO of Renault Group, former President of SEAT, marketing and product leader across Renault, Toyota, Fiat, Volkswagen Group; advocate for e-mobility and decarbonisation; appointed to lead Ampere and reported to move to Kering in 2025.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Milan, Italy
Luca de Meo born in Milan to parents originating from the Puglia region.
Developed passion for cars after ride in Lancia Fulvia HF
At age seven he was given a ride by Italian pilot Arnaldo Cavallari in a Lancia Fulvia HF, sparking his lifelong passion for cars.
Started Business Administration degree at Bocconi University
Began studies in Business Administration at Università Bocconi (reported study period 1986–1992).
Joined Renault — first automotive job
Started career at Renault (worked in Italy then France); his first job in the automotive sector.
Graduated Bocconi University (Business Administration)
Received degree in Business Administration; thesis examined business ethics — among the first Italian dissertations on this subject.
INSEAD in‑service training (during Renault employment)
Completed a year at INSEAD as in‑service training while at Renault (reported 1995).
Left Renault and joined Toyota Europe
After an initial Renault spell (1992–1998) he moved to Toyota Europe; this period later included IMD MBA in‑service training.
MBA at IMD (in‑service during Toyota period)
Completed a Master of Business Administration at IMD (reported 1998–1999 during Toyota tenure).
Married to Silvia Goracci; father of two sons (personal life)
Married with two sons; dates not specified in source.
Joined Fiat Group (Lancia business units)
Joined Fiat Group and became Head of Business Units of the Lancia brand.
Appointed CEO of Fiat Automobiles and later Alfa Romeo (appointed by Sergio Marchionne)
During his time at Fiat, Sergio Marchionne appointed de Meo CEO of Fiat Automobiles and later Alfa Romeo (exact years not specified on source). Year indicated as approximate.
Appointed Chief Marketing Officer, Fiat Group (2007–2009)
Served as CMO of Fiat Group during the period 2007–2009.
Relaunched Fiat 500 (major product relaunch)
Led the Fiat 500 project and is widely credited with its successful 2007 relaunch, a model considered pivotal in Fiat's turnaround.
CEO of Abarth (revival of brand)
Served as CEO of Abarth and helped revive the brand during his tenure at Fiat Group.
Joined Volkswagen Group as Marketing Director
Moved to Volkswagen Group as Marketing Director for the Volkswagen brand and the Volkswagen Group.
Profiled as dynamic new-generation manager
Increasing recognition in the industry for marketing, product planning, and leadership; personality described as collegial and culturally adaptive.
Published 'Da 0 a 500' (book)
Published a book recounting lived stories, ideas and advice from his management career.
Became teaching fellow at SDA Bocconi School of Management (date ongoing)
Affiliated as a teaching fellow with SDA Bocconi School of Management; later named Bocconi Alumnus of the Year (2017).
Appointed to Audi AG Board of Management (Sales & Marketing)
Became a member of the Board of Management of Audi AG, responsible for sales and marketing.
Harvard case study produced on his Volkswagen work
Harvard Business School developed a case study on Luca de Meo's work as Volkswagen Group Marketing Director.
Member of Supervisory Boards of Ducati and Lamborghini (2015–2020)
Served as member of the Supervisory Boards of Ducati and Lamborghini while at Volkswagen Group.
Named 'Commendatore' by the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Awarded the title 'Commendatore' in Italy (July 2015).
Became President (Chairman of Executive Committee) of SEAT S.A.
Appointed president of SEAT (including SEAT & Cupra); served from November 2015 to January 2020.
SEAT posts highest operating profit; 468,400 cars delivered (2017)
Under de Meo's leadership SEAT reached a high operating profit; 468,400 vehicles delivered (2017).
Leadership competencies publicly profiled
Industry commentary emphasised his strengths in marketing and product planning and noted lack of engineering background.
Bocconi Alumnus of the Year
Named Bocconi Alumnus of the Year for representing university values.
SEAT sustains growth (operating profit +23.1%)
SEAT grew further in 2018 with operating profit increasing by 23.1% under his tenure.
SEAT records historic sales (574,000+ cars) and launches new Leon
2019 saw SEAT's record sales (over 574,000 cars); de Meo introduced the new Leon and launched Cupra brand (Cupra Formentor).
Awarded 'Entrepreneur of the Year Medal of Honour' by Catalan Employers
Received recognition from Catalan Employers in November 2019 for entrepreneurship.
Renault was losing €8 billion when he joined
When de Meo took over, Renault had losses around €8 billion; he later led a turnaround over the following 18–30 months.
Public media profile increase upon Renault appointment
Global media (NYT, Reuters, Financial Times) profiled him as the executive chosen to lead Renault post-Ghosn era; described as a 'cultural sponge' able to lead in tough environment.
Entrusted Dacia brand to Denis le Vot
Delegated repositioning/management of the Dacia brand to Denis le Vot as part of group strategy.
Left SEAT / stepped down at Volkswagen Group
Stepped down as president of SEAT and left Volkswagen Group to join Renault (announced Jan 2020).
Announced as CEO of Renault Group (effective July 2020)
Renault announced de Meo would become CEO effective July 2020; departure from Volkswagen Group/SEAT announced in January 2020.
Took up CEO role at Renault Group
Assumed the CEO position at Renault Group in July 2020; also became Chairman of Renault s.a.s.
Named member of Renault Group Board of Management; CEO Renault Brand
From January 2021 he became a member of the Renault Group Board of Management and was CEO of the Renault Brand (Jan 2021–Feb 2023).
Presented 'Renaulution' strategic plan
Launched the Renaulution plan (three phases: Resurrection, Renovation, Revolution) to refocus Renault on value, brands and electric transition.
Renault posts financial improvement for 2021 (reported in 2022)
Renault's 2021 results showed a 6% increase in revenues and net profit approaching €967 million after losses when he joined.
Awarded Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain)
King Felipe VI awarded de Meo the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Royal decree dated 16 March 2021).
Became member of Board of Directors, TIM (Telecom Italia) (tenure Apr 2021–Oct 2022)
Served as an Independent Member of the Board of Directors of Gruppo TIM from April 2021 until Oct 2022.
Announced construction of future electric SUV at Alpine Dieppe
In January 2022 de Meo announced the construction of a future electric SUV at the Alpine factory in Dieppe to target high‑end segment.
Appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by presidential decree (Italy)
In 2022 de Meo was appointed as Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labour) in Italy by presidential decree.
Announced reorganization into five divisions including Ampere (Capital Market Day)
On Renault's Capital Market Day (Nov 2022) de Meo announced reorganization; creation of Ampere, a subsidiary dedicated to electric cars.
Elected chair of ACEA (to serve in 2023)
In December 2022 de Meo was elected to chair the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) for 2023.
Alpine brand growth (sports segment +33% in 2022)
Under de Meo's Renault stewardship Alpine grew by 33% in 2022 in the sports segment.
Received Chevalier rank of the French Légion d'honneur
On 29 December 2022, de Meo received the Chevalier (Knight) rank of the French Legion of Honor.
Unveiled the new Alpine Formula 1 single-seater in London
Presented Alpine's new F1 single-seater in London as part of motorsport and brand strategy.
Recognized as 'most powerful person in the automotive sector' and 'Group CEO 2023'
Named (industry recognition) as the most powerful person in automotive and Group CEO 2023 for his work leading Renault and Ampere.
Renault operating margin increased to 5.6% (2023)
Under de Meo Renault's operating margin rose to 5.6% (compared with 2.8% in 2021), reflecting turnaround progress.
Completed first phase of 'Renaulution' in under two years
In January 2023 de Meo announced completion of the first phase (Resurrection) of the Renaulution program ahead of schedule.
Announced French production plan for Renault EVs
In February 2023 he introduced a plan for the production of Renault electric vehicles in France, focusing on industrial strategy and jobs.
As ACEA President advocated for EU industrial policy for automotive
As ACEA President (2023) he wrote an open letter and publicly urged the EU to adopt ambitious, structured industrial policies supporting e‑mobility and decarbonisation.
Alpine enters talks with AutoNation (US distributor)
Announced that Alpine was in discussions with AutoNation to expand US distribution for the brand.
Appointed CEO of Ampere (Renault's EV entity)
Became CEO of Ampere — the Renault Group entity dedicated to electric vehicles — effective 1 November 2023.
Published 'Dictionnaire amoureux de l'automobile'
Published a book titled 'Dictionnaire amoureux de l'automobile' (Place des éditeurs).
Announced departure from Renault to lead Kering (reported)
On 15 June 2025 Renault announced de Meo would leave his CEO post; media reported he will take over leadership of the Kering group (Gucci‑owner).
Key Achievement Ages
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