Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault group, seems to have started the year 2025 on the wrong foot and sees the horizon covered.
There are good resolutions and optimism at the start of the year and then there is the Luca de Meo method. The big boss of the Renault Group spoke in a somewhat grumpy tone about the state of the automobile market, European regulations and even the electrification objectives which, according to him, sometimes lack realism. An unfiltered start to the year for the Italian boss, known for not mincing his words.
In an interview given to our colleagues at De Tijd, de Meo did not hesitate to criticize certain aspects of European regulations, in particular on the increasing requirements in terms of CO2. He stressed that the auto industry finds itself in a delicate situation, caught between pressure to innovate quickly and the increasing costs of meeting standards. “Manufacturers cannot solve everything alone,” he insisted, calling for greater collaboration between institutions and manufacturers.
This rant doesn't stop there. De Meo also spoke of the “price war” triggered by certain Chinese manufacturers, which he perceives as a serious threat to European brands. According to him, Europe must protect its industry while remaining competitive in the face of aggressive global competition. Comments which reflect the concerns of many players in the sector.
De Meo sees black for others, and gray for himself
The impact of all this? Electric cars even more expensive by 40% by 2030! However, no panic for Renault. Despite this start to the year in grumpy mode, Luca de Meo's strategy remains ambitious. The group plans to launch several new electric models by the end of the year, including the highly anticipated Renault 5. With massive investments in technology and strategic partnerships, de Meo is seeking to show that it is ready to take on the challenges, even if the path promises to be strewn with pitfalls.
-In summary, Luca de Meo begins 2025 on a critical note, but his ambitions for Renault are no less intact. Let's hope that he will quickly regain his good humor and continue to shake up the sector with this great energy that characterizes him.
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