Patrick Pelata gets Renault's top product job.(News)(Appointments)(Brief Article)

Byline: Sylviane de Saint-Seine

Patrick Pelata will oversee Renault's product and vehicle programs.

One of Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's most-trusted lieutenants, Pelata, 49, headed Nissan's global planning and design and European operations until April.

As expected, Pelata replaces Georges Douin, 59, as one of Renault's executive vice presidents and member of the group's seven-member executive committee. Douin retired July 1.

Unlike Douin, Pelata will not oversee Renault's international operations. This department, which now reports directly to Ghosn, will be ...