Mr Ghosn takes over from Philippe Varin, former chairman of the Board of Management of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

Mr Ghosn joined Renault as executive vice president in 1996 and was appointed chief operating officer of Nissan Motors in June 1999, thereafter becoming president in 2000 and chief executive officer in 2001. He has been chairman and CEO of Renault since May 2005. He remains president and CEO of Nissan and chairman and CEO of Renault Nissan Alliance.

ACEA secretary general Erik Jonnaert said: ‘Mr Ghosn will lead ACEA through an important period of political transition in Europe. Under his presidency, ACEA will continue to focus on its key policy recommendations, which are to drive innovation, to foster growth through international trade and to call for a supportive regulatory framework. On behalf of ACEA’s Board, we wish to thank Mr Varin for his strong leadership of the association over the past months.’