RENAULT has announced its chief executive officer, Carlos Tavares, has left with immediate effect.
The French firm said in a press release that Tavares, 55, mutually agreed with Renault to cease his functions of chief operating officer in order to ‘pursue other personal projects’.
Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, will temporarily carry out the role.
The news increases speculation that Tavares will move to the USA to take up a top role with an American car maker.
In an interview with the American business news service Bloomberg earlier this month, he effectively ruled himself out from taking over from Ghosn and expressed a wish to moves Stateside.
‘We have a big leader and he is here to stay,’ Tavares told Bloomberg. ‘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 No. 1 position.
‘My experience would be good for any car company. Why not GM? I would be honoured to lead a company like GM.’