Raymond Lévy

Raymond Lévy
Born28 June 1927
Died10 October 2018(2018-10-10) (aged 91)
Paris, France
Alma materÉcole Polytechnique; École des Mines de Paris; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
OccupationBusiness executive
Known forCEO of Renault (1986–1992)

Raymond Lévy (28 June 1927 – 10 October 2018) was a French engineer and business executive. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Renault from 1986 to 1992, guiding the company through a period of restructuring and recovery after the assassination of his predecessor Georges Besse.[1][2]

Early life and education

Lévy was born in Paris in 1927. He studied at the École polytechnique and the Mines Paris – PSL, later earning a Master of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3]

Career

Lévy began his career in the French mining administration before moving into industry. He held senior positions at the oil group Elf Aquitaine (vice-president, 1976–1980) and at the steel company Usinor (chairman, 1982–1984).[3]

In December 1986, following the assassination of Renault CEO Georges Besse by the militant group Action directe, Lévy was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Renault.[1] He led the company until 1992, focusing on restructuring, divesting non-core businesses, and preparing Renault for eventual privatization. His tenure is also associated with the launch of the Renault Twingo, a model that became emblematic of the brand's revival.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b FranceSoir – Obituary of Raymond Lévy
  2. ^ "GROUPE RENAULT PAYS TRIBUTE TO MR. RAYMOND LEVY, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF RENAULT FROM 1986 TO 1992". Newsroom Renault Group. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Biographie Raymond Lévy Ingénieur général des mines, Président de sociétés". biographie.whoswho.fr. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  4. ^ "La scomparsa di Raymond Lévy, CEO di Renault dal 1986 al 1992 - Attualità". ANSA.it (in Italian). 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2025-11-28.