![]() ![]() In the immediate aftermath of the diesel scandal, Volkswagen’s board then picked him in November 2015 to run the group’s low-profile Seat brand. His instincts proved right as Audi sales grew by a quarter during his three-year tenure. “I’d prefer to have a present and future than look back at how nice things were 50 years ago.” “I’ve worked for brands (like Alfa) that have a much bigger tradition and no present,” he told reporters at the time. Instead de Meo chose to push Audi as the most progressive premium brand, preferring to outfit Marvel’s Iron Man with an electric R8 sports car than fight Mercedes-Benz for product placements in the Jurassic Park film franchise. In 2012 he was promoted to sales and marketing chief at VW’s premium brand Audi, where he soon clashed with Germans advising him to glorify its past accomplishments. No longer in the limelight, De Meo went about quietly building on his accomplishments. It represented an apparent step down on his career ladder and his future there seemed uncertain given a hierarchical culture unforgiving to outsiders-even to Germans. ![]() The abrupt departure north surprised many-the position of marketing boss for the VW brand was one that kept him far from the boardrooms of Wolfsburg. While still in his 30s, he assumed responsibility for the flagship brand of the same name, later cementing his claim to the Fiat throne by adding Alfa Romeo to his portfolio. Until de Meo’s 2009 defection to Volkswagen, he was being groomed as successor to Marchionne at Fiat Chrysler. “His expertise, but also his passion for cars, make him a real asset for the Group.” ![]() “Luca de Meo is a great strategist and visionary of a rapidly changing automotive world,” said Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard. “We are all looking forward to working closely with him and our Alliance partners in our efforts to support mutually profitable growth.” A “visionary” strategist representative executive officer, president and CEO said Executive Officer, President and CEO Makoto Uchida, said in a statement. ![]() “I am very happy with the Renault Board’s decision to appoint Luca de Meo as CEO,” Nissan Motor Co. On Wednesday, Japanese brass weighed in with their approval of the hire. ![]()
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