Luca de Meo, CE of Renault Brussels, has been elected president for 2023 of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA); his term begins January 1.

De Meo succeeds Oliver Zipse, BMW CEO, who held the position for the past two years. ACEA represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers:

With more than 30 years of experience in the automotive sector, de Melo began his career at Renault before joining Toyota Europe, then the Fiat Group where he managed the Lancia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands.

Born in Milan, Italy, in 1967, Luca de Meo graduated from the Luigi Bocconi Commercial University with a degree in business administration.

Among his aims for ACEA, de Meo will urge Europe “to implement policies that fully support our decarbonization goal and enable us to face growing global competition.”

In addition, de Melo said, “We welcome the work on a European Raw Materials Act, which should support the continent’s economic resilience and the shift to zero-emissions. Our industry is committed to investing heavily in e-mobility, and to securing value creation and jobs in Europe.”

However, de Melo commented, “The Euro 7 proposal in its current shape, however, would draw away massive human and financial resources from electrification, at the very time when other world regions are creating an attractive investment environment for zero-emissions mobility.”

The ACEA President is elected for a year-long term, once renewable, from the CEOs of its member companies.