Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo awarded the ‘Issigonis Trophy’ at the Autocar Awards 2024

01.07.2024
  • Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo awarded the ‘Issigonis Trophy’ at the Autocar Awards 2024
  • Accolade is the most prestigious in the annual awards and is given to individuals who have made a historically significant contribution to the automotive industry
  • De Meo bestowed with the highly coveted award for driving the transformation of the Renault Group and his inspirational focus on bringing the automotive industry together
  • Under the guidance of de Meo the Renault Group has achieved record profits and now offers an expanding line-up of vehicles that are amongst the best in the brand’s history

Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo has been awarded the highly coveted ‘Issigonis Trophy’ at the Autocar Awards 2024.

The most prestigious award that Autocar presents during its annual celebration of the best new cars and the industry’s highest achievers, the ‘Issigonis Award’ is given to individuals who have made a historically significant contribution to one of the world’s largest industries. It is named after Mini inventor Sir Alec Issigonis, who is widely credited with revolutionising the automotive industry with his pioneering designs and innovative approach to car manufacturing.

Explaining the renowned magazine’s decision to award De Meo its highest accolade, Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, said: “How Luca de Meo has transformed Renault Group is incredibly impressive, taking the company to a point where it is achieving record profits in its 126-year history. It is one of the greatest turnarounds in corporate history, not just automotive, and it’s complemented with an expanding and highly credible brand and model strategy. This alone is worthy of merit, but it’s de Meo’s focus on the whole industry that really inspires, highlighting the challenges that are being faced and providing viable answers that will sustain its survival for the good of all. Without doubt, he is one of the most influential people in the industry, yet is also known for his normality.”

On receiving the award, de Meo expressed: “It is an honour to accept this award and have the recognition from such a highly respected title and its experienced journalists. It acknowledges the huge effort that the Renault Group team has made in transforming the company during some fascinating yet challenging years, ensuring that we can continue our ambition to offer cars that are emotional and affordable to all, such as the fully electric Renault 5. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the Board of Directors and our shareholders. With the trophy named after such an automotive pioneer, it reminds us of what we must do to succeed in the changing automotive space, embracing ingenuity but never forgetting the need for fun and emotion.”

It is the second time that Autocar has singled out de Meo for his achievements within the space of year. Late last year he topped the 2023 Autocar Power List 100, a list of the 100 most powerful people in the automotive industry that is determined by such criteria as global reach and influence, spending power, share of voice, technological influence, future growth potential and market capitalisation.