Renault vs Stellantis: Founders, CEOs and History
Renault was founded in 1899 by Louis Renault, Marcel Renault, Fernand Renault and is led by François Provost. Stellantis was founded in 2021 by John Elkann, Carlos Tavares and is led by Antonio Filosa.
Company facts
Renault
- Founded
- 1899
- Headquarters
- Boulogne-Billancourt, France
- Current CEO
- François Provost
- Employees
- 98,000
Stellantis
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Current CEO
- Antonio Filosa
- Employees
- 258,668
Founders
Renault
Louis Renault
Louis Renault was the engineering force behind Renault. After building the Voiturette Type A in Billancourt in 1898, he co-founded Societe Renault Freres with his brothers Marcel and Fernand in 1899. Racing success helped prove the cars' reliability.
Marcel Renault
Marcel Renault co-founded Societe Renault Freres in 1899 and handled much of the early business side with his brother Fernand. He also raced the company's cars and won the 1902 Paris-Vienna race, which gave the young brand international publicity.
Fernand Renault
Fernand Renault co-founded Societe Renault Freres in 1899 and worked on its commercial side, including sales, alongside Marcel. Ill health led him to step back, and he sold his share to Louis before his death in 1909.
Stellantis
John Elkann
John Elkann is chairman of Stellantis and CEO of Exor, the Agnelli family holding company that is the group's largest shareholder.
Carlos Tavares
Carlos Tavares was chairman of the PSA managing board and became the first CEO of Stellantis in 2021. He led the integration of FCA and PSA, pushed the shared STLA platform plan and the Dare Forward 2030 strategy, and oversaw record profits in 2022 and 2023.
CEOs and their tenures
Renault
- Louis Schweitzer1992–2005
Chairman and CEO
The Nissan alliance Schweitzer built became central to Renault's scale and technology-sharing for the next two decades, and the Dacia relaunch he set in motion grew into a brand contributing roughly 30% of Group vehicle sales by 2025, a lasting structural lega…
Source - Luca de Meo2020–2025
CEO
By the time de Meo left in 2025 to become CEO of Kering (Gucci's parent company), Renaulution had delivered three consecutive years of revenue growth, with successor Francois Provost publicly calling it 'clearly a success story' and Alpine registrations more t…
Source - François Provost2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Renault's former head of procurement and partnerships; became CEO on July 31, 2025 after Luca de Meo left for Kering.
Source
Stellantis
- John Elkann2021–present
Chairman
Represents Exor, the largest shareholder.
Source - Carlos Tavares2021–2024
First CEO of Stellantis
Delivered record 2022-2023 profits before falling US sales led to his resignation in December 2024.
Source - Antonio Filosa2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Oversaw the return to net profit in H1 2026, with Q2 net revenues up 13% to ~$49.2 billion (EUR 43.5 billion).
Source - Joao Laranjo2025–present
Chief Financial Officer
Leads financial reporting and the FaSTLAne 2030 cash flow targets.
Source
Timeline: Renault and Stellantis side by side
1899Renault
Renault Freres is founded
Louis, Marcel, and Fernand Renault founded Renault, building on Louis Renault's early engineering work.
1899Renault
Renault Founded
Louis Renault, along with brothers Marcel and Fernand, founds Societe Renault Freres after Louis patents a direct-drive transmission system.
1945Renault
Renault is nationalized
After World War II, Renault became a state-owned French automaker, shaping its role in national industry for decades.
1996Renault
Renault is privatized
Privatization gave Renault more strategic flexibility ahead of international expansion and alliance building.
1999Renault
Renault-Nissan Alliance begins
Renault's investment in Nissan created a cross-shareholding alliance that shaped Renault's global footprint and strategy.
1999Renault
Dacia becomes part of Renault
Renault acquired control of Dacia, building the value-brand platform that became central to European and emerging-market growth.
2021Renault
Renaulution strategy launches
The Renaulution plan shifted focus from volume to value, cost discipline, electrification, and brand clarity.
2021Stellantis
Stellantis is formed
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA completed their merger to create Stellantis.
2022Stellantis
Dare Forward 2030 strategy
The company presented a long-term plan around electrification, software, and carbon reduction.
2023Stellantis
Leapmotor strategic partnership
Stellantis invested in Leapmotor and formed a partnership to support lower-cost EV expansion outside China.
2024Stellantis
Leadership reset begins
Carlos Tavares resigned as CEO after operating pressure and disagreement over strategic direction.
2025Renault
Francois Provost appointed CEO
Francois Provost was appointed Chief Executive Officer effective July 31, 2025, succeeding Luca de Meo's leadership era.
2025Renault
Revenue reaches ~$65.4 billion (EUR57.92 billion)
Renault Group reported FY2025 revenue of ~$65.4 billion (EUR57.92 billion) and a net loss driven by Nissan-related accounting impacts.
2025Stellantis
FY2025 results mark turnaround baseline
Stellantis reported ~$173 billion (EUR 153.508 billion) in net revenues and an ~$25.3 billion (EUR 22.368 billion) loss attributable to owners.
2025Stellantis
Antonio Filosa becomes CEO
Antonio Filosa, a 25-year company veteran who had led the Americas and quality, took up the role of Chief Executive Officer after the board's search following Carlos Tavares's resignation.
2026Stellantis
FaSTLAne 2030 plan
At its May 21, 2026 investor day Stellantis set out a five-year plan with more than $67.8 billion (EUR 60 billion) of investment and a ~$215 billion (EUR 190 billion) revenue target for 2030.
2026Stellantis
Return to profit in H1 2026
First-half net revenues rose 10% to ~$92.2 billion (EUR 81.6 billion) with a ~$757 million (EUR 0.67 billion) net profit; Q2 net revenues were ~$49.2 billion (EUR 43.5 billion).
Acquisitions
Renault
- Dacia1999Undisclosed
- Nissan alliance1999$5.4B
- AMC (American Motors Corporation) stake1979Undisclosed
Stellantis
- Leapmotor (about 21% stake)2023Undisclosed
- Share Now2022Undisclosed
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA merger2021Undisclosed
Questions about Renault vs Stellantis
Who is the CEO of Renault S.A. and Stellantis N.V.?
Renault S.A. is led by François Provost and Stellantis N.V. is led by Antonio Filosa. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Renault S.A. founded vs Stellantis N.V.?
Renault S.A. was founded in 1899 — 122 years before Stellantis N.V., which was founded in 2021. Renault S.A.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Stellantis N.V..
How many employees does Renault S.A. have compared to Stellantis N.V.?
Renault S.A. employs approximately 98,000 people, while Stellantis N.V. employs approximately 258,668. Stellantis N.V. has the larger workforce at 258,668 employees, compared to Renault S.A.'s 98,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Renault S.A. and Stellantis N.V. headquartered?
Renault S.A. is headquartered in France and Stellantis N.V. is headquartered in Netherlands. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Renault S.A. and Stellantis N.V.?
Renault S.A. was founded by Louis Renault, Marcel Renault, Fernand Renault. Stellantis N.V. was founded by John Elkann, Carlos Tavares.
Which company has a longer operating history — Renault S.A. or Stellantis N.V.?
Renault S.A. has been operating for approximately 127 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Stellantis N.V. has been in operation for around 5 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Renault vs Stellantis overview