the company said. Mr. Ghosn said: "The appointment of Carlos Tavares is a first step in strengthening Renault's management." The appointment followed the resignation in April of Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata, who took responsibility for a debacle in which the company was misled into firing three executives--including a member of its management committee. It accused them of selling proprietary information outside the company, but eventually exonerated and compensated them. Police are now investigating a plot to defraud the company by members of the auto maker's internal security service, three of whom have been fired. The incident badly damaged staff morale, and Mr. Pelata's departure left a large gap in senior management, as he had been effectively running Renault's day-to-day operations since the 2008 financial crisis. Renault also faces business challenges. Renault-branded cars have struggled against the brands of French rival PSA Peugeot Citroen. Sales have risen strongly for Renault's low-cost brand Dacia, but these are mostly made in Romania, leading to complaints from the French government that Mr. Ghosn is shifting production out of France. Mr. Tavares arrthe company said. Mr. Ghosn said: "The appointment of Carlos Tavares is a first step in strengthening Renault's management." The appointment followed the resignation in April of Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata, who took responsibility for a debacle in which the company was misled into firing three executives--including a member of its management committee. It accused them of selling proprietary information outside the company, but eventually exonerated and compensated them. Police are now investigating a plot to defraud the company by members of the auto maker's internal security service, three of whom have been fired. The incident badly damaged staff morale, and Mr. Pelata's departure left a large gap in senior management, as he had been effectively running Renault's day-to-day operations since the 2008 financial crisis. Renault also faces business challenges. Renault-branded cars have struggled against the brands of French rival PSA Peugeot Citroen. Sales have risen strongly for Renault's low-cost brand Dacia, but these are mostly made in Romania, leading to complaints from the French government that Mr. Ghosn is shifting production out of France. Mr. Tavares arr