PARIS (Reuters) -Renault procurement chief Francois Provost has emerged as the frontrunner to become the French automaker's next chief executive, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
While no final decision has been made, Renault's board of directors is due to meet on Wednesday to approve first-half results and discuss the CEO appointment, Bloomberg reported.
French newspapers Le Figaro and Les Echos also reported that Provost, 57, was the leading candidate for the job.
However, a source close to the matter told Reuters that the head of Renault unit Dacia, Denis Le Vot, was also in the running.
Asked about the reports, a Renault spokeswoman said the selection process was still under way but was well-advanced. She declined to comment further.
Renault has been searching for a permanent replacement for ex-CEO Luca de Meo, who resigned abruptly last month to join luxury group Kering.
The source close to the matter told Reuters that the board and its nomination committee will meet Wednesday, adding that an announcement should be made after the market closes.
The same source said the board is expected to choose between Provost and Le Vot.
If Renault chooses Provost, it would opt for a little-known company insider, who joined the group over two decades ago and played a crucial role in a transformation of the company launched by de Meo in November 2022.
Earlier this month, Renault named finance chief Duncan Minto as interim CEO and warned of weaker-than-expected June sales volumes.
The company, which will publish its full half-year figures on July 31, has also revised down its full-year operating margin and free cash flow forecasts.
(Reporting by Gilles Guillaume and Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Makini Brice and Joe Bavier)
