Georges Besse facts for kids

Georges Besse (born December 25, 1927 – died November 17, 1986) was a French businessman. He was known for leading several big companies owned by the French government. Sadly, he was killed outside his home in Paris. This happened while he was the boss of the car company Renault. An armed group called Action directe was responsible.

Georges Besse's Career Highlights

Georges Besse had an important career. He worked in many different industries. Here are some of the key roles he held:

• 1958 - He became the general manager of USSI Ingénierie. This company worked with uranium.
• 1964 - He was the assistant general manager of CIT-Alcatel.
• 1974 - He became the president of Eurodif.
• 1978 - He was named the chairman of COGEMA.
• 1982 - He became a director at Pechiney-Ugine-Kulmann.
• 1985 - He took on the role of director at Renault.

Leading Renault Car Company

Georges Besse became the head of the government-owned Renault car company in January 1985. When he took over, Renault was losing a lot of money. But Besse was very good at his job. Just two months before he died, he managed to make the company start making a profit.

However, his plan to make Renault more efficient was not easy. It meant closing some factories. It also meant letting go of about 21,000 workers. Labor unions in Europe were against these actions. They also did not like his support for Renault's investments in the United States. Renault had invested in a company called American Motors (AMC). AMC was also having money problems.

Besse believed in AMC's future. Renault put money into AMC to launch new Jeep vehicles. They also upgraded engines and built a new factory in Brampton, Ontario. Many people at Renault and union leaders did not like AMC. But Besse saw a great future in the North American market. This was especially true as four-wheel drive Jeeps were becoming very popular. Not only did Besse make Renault profitable, but AMC was also on its way to making money. This was thanks to growing markets and sales.

How Georges Besse Died

Georges Besse was killed on November 17, 1986. It happened around 8:25 in the evening. He was on the sidewalk in front of his home in Paris. This area is called the Montparnasse district. One of his daughters saw what happened from an upstairs window. She was waiting for him to come home.

Besse's killers came up to him just after he got out of his car. His driver had dropped him off close to his house. Witnesses said he was shot several times. He died almost right away when he fell to the ground. Reports were different about how the attackers got away. Some said by car, some by motorcycle, and some on foot.

About three months later, a group called Action Directe sent out leaflets. They said they were responsible for the murder. They claimed it was because of Besse's changes at Renault. These changes included laying off many workers. However, the members of Action Directe denied this during their trial.

Two women, Nathalie Ménigon and Joëlle Aubron, were charged with his murder in March 1987. They were sentenced to life in prison in 1989. Two other members of Action Directe, Jean-Marc Rouillan and Georges Cipriani, were found guilty as helpers. They also received life sentences.

Remembering Georges Besse

After his death, people remembered Georges Besse in several ways.

The Renault car factory in Douai, northern France, was renamed in his honor. It is now called the Georges Besse plant.

Also, a special plant that enriches uranium was named after him. It was called the Georges Besse gaseous diffusion uranium enrichment plant. It operated from 1979 to 2012. Later, a new plant replaced it. This new plant uses a different method. It is called the Georges Besse II centrifuge enrichment plant.

See also

In Spanish: Georges Besse para niños

• American Motors Corporation (AMC)
• List of assassinations