COO Tavares to Leave Renault

Renault SA says Carlos Tavares is stepping down as chief operating officer.

The announcement comes two weeks after Tavares surprised the auto industry by telling Bloomberg News that he would like to become head of Ford Motor Co. or General Motors Co. Tavares, 55, said he was unlikely to succeed Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, 59, who is "here to stay."

Ghosn will temporarily carry out Tavares' former duties. Renault says it will soon announce changes to the company's management structure.