Carlos Ghosn returns as president of ACEA

Tue, 13 May 2014

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (abbreviated ACEA in French) is an industry group representing all the biggest automakers in Europe, representing their common interests on the world stage. And as such it needs a leader, figurehead and mouthpiece to serve as its president, and for the second time the association's board of directors has chosen Carlos Ghosn.

Now if you're recognizing Ghosn as the CEO of Nissan and wondering what that has to do with European cars, it's not because Nissan manufactures much in Europe. In fact, it only operates has a handful of locations in Europe: one in the UK, one in Barcelona and one in St Petersburg. But you'd be wise to recall that Ghosn also serves as CEO of Renault, one of the biggest players in European automobile manufacturing. He also sits on the boards at Russian automaker AvtoVAZ (of which Renault owns 25 percent) and of his native Brazil's Banco Itaú, not to mention the advisory councils of a handful of universities – two of them from his ancestral hometown of Beirut. He previously served as president of ACEA in 2009, and was re-elected to replace outgoing PSA chairman Philippe Varin.

Alongside Renault, ACEA membership includes BMW, Daimler, Fiat, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Volkswagen and Volvo, along with the European divisions of Ford, General Motors, Hyundai and Toyota, as well as a handful of truck manufacturers.

CARLOS GHOSN IS APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (ACEA)

The Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has elected Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, as its new President.

Mr Ghosn takes over from Mr Philippe Varin, former Chairman of the Board of Management of PSA Peugeot Citroën. This change is effective immediately.

ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert said: "Mr Ghosn will lead ACEA through an important period of political transition in Europe. Under his presidency, ACEA will continue to focus on its key policy recommendations, which are to drive innovation, to foster growth through international trade and to call for a supportive regulatory framework."

About Carlos Ghosn

Mr Carlos Ghosn joined Michelin in 1978 as manager of the Le Puy plant in France. He became Chief Operating Officer of Michelin's South American activities based in Brazil before being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Michelin North America in 1989. He joined Renault as Executive Vice President in 1996. In addition to supervising Renault activities in Mercosur, he was responsible for research, automobile engineering and development, manufacturing, powertrain operations, and purchasing. Carlos Ghosn joined Nissan Motor as Chief Operating Officer in June 1999 and was named Chief Executive Officer in June 2001.

Chairman of Renault since May 2005, he remains Chairman and CEO of Nissan. He was appointed Chairman and CEO of Renault on May 6, 2009. Carlos Ghosn is also a director of AvtoVAZ and a member of the board of directors of Brazilian bank Itau Banco.

Carlos Ghosn is a member of International Advisory Council of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. He is also a member of International Advisory Council for American University of Beirut, Lebanon and a member of the Strategic Council, Saint Joseph University, Beyrouth, Lebanon.

He also received the CNBC Asia Business Leader of 2011 award.

Mr Carlos Ghosn was previously president of ACEA in 2009.

About ACEA

ACEA's members are BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT SpA, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, IVECO SpA, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group. More information can be found on http://www.acea.be.

Facts About the EU Automobile Industry

Some 12.9 million people - or 5.3% of the EU employed population - work in the sector.
The 3 million jobs in automotive manufacturing represent 10% of EU's manufacturing employment.
Motor vehicles account for €387 billion in tax contribution in the EU15.
The sector is also a key driver of knowledge and innovation, representing Europe's largest private contributor to R&D, with €32 billion invested annually.
The automotive sector contributes significantly to the EU trade balance with a €95.7 billion surplus.
About Renault

The Renault group has been making cars since 1898. Today it is an international multi-brand group, selling more than 2.6 million vehicles in 128 countries in 2013, with 37 manufacturing sites, and employing nearly 122,000 people. To meet the major technological challenges of the future and continue its strategy of profitable growth, the Group is harnessing its international development and the complementary fit of its three brands, Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors, together with electric vehicles, the Alliance with Nissan, and its partnerships with AVTOVAZ, Daimler and Mitsubishi. With 12 world championship titles in 36 years, Renault's expertise in Formula 1 is equally remarkable, as a vector of innovation, image and awareness.

By Noah Joseph