Paula Fabregat-Andreu, Renault brand design project director, was named Woman of the Year 2024 by a jury of journalists[1] brought together by WAVE – Les Elles de l’Auto association on Thursday, November 7, during the association's annual gathering. This award recognizes her pivotal role in the renewal of automotive design at Renault.
Leading the design of Renault's iconic models, balancing heritage and an electric futur
Paula Fabregat-Andreu, with Renault Group since 2000, began as an automotive interior designer. She then embarked on an international career within the Group: first at the design studio in Barcelona, overseeing prospective studies, and later in Romania from 2010 to 2014 as design project manager for Dacia. Since returning to France, she has led design projects for vehicles in the A and B segments. Responsible for the design of major models, she notably oversaw the new Clio, launched last year, which represents a significant share of the brand's sales. She now leads the design of three iconic and highly anticipated models for Renault's electric future: the R5, R4, and Twingo.
“I am very touched and grateful to the jury for choosing me for this Woman of the Year 2024 award. When I think back to the inexperienced young designer I was 24 years ago when I joined Renault Group, receiving this award today has great meaning for me. Many young women in design schools hesitate to enter the ‘transport’ fields. I tell them that they absolutely belong here, and that the automotive industry needs their perspective and talent at a time when it is undergoing profound renewal. This award also honors the Renault 5 E-Tech electric. Achievements in the automotive industry can only be collective, and that of the R5 may be even more so than others. I would like to thank the entire project team for the extraordinary journey we shared to bring this car to life, which I believe - and hope - will be remembered as a symbol of its time.”, shared Paula Fabregat Andreu.
“The journalists applauded the success of this project, which revives the emotion of the first generation of the R5 - a complex challenge. All were won over by Paula Fabregat-Andreu’s enthusiasm and her ability to convey her passion for the automotive industry," commented Florence Lagarde, jury member and director of Autoactu.com, as well as vice-president of WAVE – Les Elles de l’Auto.
An award presented by WAVE to celebrate inspiring careers
The jury, which met on October 9, selected three finalists before choosing the winner through a final vote. With this award, the WAVE – Les Elles de l’Auto association highlights an inspiring figure with a key role in the company.
Paula Fabregat-Andreu received her award during the WAVE – Les Elles de l’Auto annual gathering on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Pavillon Royal in Paris. The award was presented to her by Anne-Marie Baezner, director of the Lyon Motor Show, and Aurélie Jouve, director of the Equip’Auto Show, both recipients of the Woman of the Year 2023 award.
In 2016, Agneta Dahlgren, then design director for the Kadjar range, Megane, Scenic, and electric vehicles (C-segment), was also honored by the WAVE association, receiving the Woman of the Year 2016 trophy, further underscoring the commitment and expertise of women at the heart of automotive design at Renault Group.
[1] The 2024 Woman of the Year Jury is composed of: Leslie Auzemery (Auto Infos), Raphaëlle Baut (Vroom - Numerama), Julien Bonnet (BFMTV), Christophe Bourroux (RTL), Stéphanie Cansell (Be My Guest), Adeline Després (Autoroute Infos), Sophie Fay (Le Monde), Victoire de Faultrier-Travers (L'Argus Pro), Géraldine Gaudy (L'Argus), Florence Lagarde (Autoactu), Agnès Lasbarrères (Auto Plus), Alexandra Legendre (Ligue de Défense des Conducteurs), Alexandre Lenoir (independent), Catherine Leroy (Journal de l’Automobile), Jean-Rémy Macchia (Ouest France), Perrine Martin (Radio Vinci Autoroutes), Stéphane Meunier (L’Automobile Magazine), Justine Perou (Capital), Caroline Ridet (Ze Pros), Albertina Torsoli (Bloomberg).