varin

Much will depend on Mr Varin's ability to manage the relationship with the Peugeots, and the Peugeots' handling of him.

Varin said the group was renewing its own ethics code, but this was not in response to Renault's suspensions.

But Mr Varin is new to the car industry, which is itself nearly a year into one of the most brutal crises in its history.

But Ratan Tata, the patriarchal boss of the Tata Group, had made it clear that a condition of the deal was that Mr Varin stayed.

Varin is perceived by the board as a fresh force to help push Peugeot in the right direction, reports Reuters.

Although Corus was undergoing the pain of a wrenching cyclical downturn in demand for steel, Mr Varin felt he could leave with honour.

Mr Streiff will be succeeded by Philippe Varin, former chief executive of Corus, a steelmaker, and a notably smooth operator.

But if something more radical is required in the future, will Mr Varin be allowed to show the boldness he displayed at Corus?

"To ensure growth we need to be a global player, " Mr Varin said.

Mr Varin's views chime, naturally enough, with those of the Peugeot family.

Mr Varin has it for now, but keeping it will not be easy.

Last month Mr Varin presented results for the first six months of 2009.

Mr Varin seemed ideal.

In Mr Varin, the Peugeots have a manager who is just as steely but whose approach is more inclusive.