PARIS: French auto group Renault, which controls Nissan of Japan, said on Thursday that its deputy head Carlos Tavares is leaving the group immediately.

Tavares said recently that he would like to head another auto group.

Renault said that with immediate effect, Tavares ceased to be the number two in the group responsible for operations at Renault.

Tavares was leaving to pursue personal projects, Renault said.

Since 2011 he had been the number two to Carlos Ghosn, who will take over temporarily the functions carried out by Tavares, a spokesman said.