Renault-Nissan Alliance has appointed Yasuhiro Yamauchi as alliance executive vice-president (EVP), Purchasing, and chairman and managing director (CMD) of Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organization (RNPO), with effect from 1 January 2015, according to a press release. RNPO is responsible for the global procurement of auto parts as well as metals and materials for Renault and Nissan vehicles.
Yamaguchi, who is currently alliance global vice-president, Purchasing and deputy managing director of RNPO, will replace Christian Vandenhende, who is appointed executive vice-president, Quality and Total Customer Satisfaction at Renault. He will report to Thierry Bolloré, chief competitive officer, Renault, and Hiroto Saikawa, chief competitive officer, Nissan.
The alliance has also appointed Véronique Sarlat-Depotte as alliance global senior vice-president, Purchasing and deputy managing director of RNPO replacing Yamauchi, also effective from 1 January. Sarlat-Depotte is currently alliance global director, RNPO Body & Electrical. She will also become a member of the Renault Management Committee and will report to Yamauchi.
Significance: The Renault-Nissan Alliance is focusing on greater synergies between Renault and Nissan for cost reduction, cost avoidance and revenue growth. In 2013, the alliance recorded synergizes of EUR2.87 billion (USD3.92 billion), including EUR1.04 billion through joint procurement carried out by RNPO. The alliance has set goals to achieve EUR4.3 billion (USD5.9 billion) worth of annual synergies by the end of 2016. Recently, RNPO agreed to look after part of purchasing of Russian car brand AvtoVAZ. In 2012, Renault-Nissan Alliance acquired a majority stake in Alliance Rostec Auto BV, a joint-venture with Russian Technologies which will control 74% of AvtoVAZ.
