A legendary member of the Renault group, Gérard Detourbet died at the age of 73. Considered as the father of the “low-cost” range, with the Logan, Sandero, Duster or Kwid models, he was recalled by Carlos Ghosn to lead the offensive in India.
Holder of a doctorate in mathematics, Gérard Detourbet began his career at Renault in 1971. After holding various management positions, he joined the Romanian subsidiary Dacia in 2001, as director of industrial development and vehicle projects.
He then oversaw the development of a range of low-cost vehicles, with prices starting well below 10,000 euros, a revolutionary concept devised by then-CEO Louis Schweitzer, which few observers believed had origin, but which has been very successful.
50 years of career
He most recently held the position of Vice President of the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance, responsible for breakthrough innovations. “It is with great emotion that the Renault group has learned of the death of Gérard Detourbet,” Renault Managing Director Clotilde Delbos said in a message posted on LinkedIn.
“With nearly 50 years of career within the group […], he has been a key player in many of the company’s projects. Visionary […], he is at the origin of the concept of affordable vehicle, “she said, addressing to her family and loved ones” sincere condolences “from employees.
Designed initially for emerging countries, the “Global Access” range has also found an important outlet in Western Europe where its vehicles are marketed under the Dacia brand and are among the best-selling products on the market.
Low-cost vehicles now account for 35% of the Renault group’s global sales. They are a pillar of its profitability and internationalization.
AFP Source