He joined Renault in 1984 as a manager in bodyin- white assembly at the Flins plant. Between 1985 and 1998, he held a number of different positions in the engineering department.

Patrick Pélata became Senior Vice President, Vehicle Engineering Development in 1998 and joined the Renault Management Committee. In 1999, following the creation of the Renault Nissan Alliance, he joined Nissan in Tokyo as Executive Vice President, Corporate and Product Planning, Design and Programs and was made a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of Nissan.

In January 2003, he was appointed Chairman of the Management Committee of Nissan Europe. On July 1, 2005, Patrick Pelata was appointed Executive Vice President of Plan, Product Planning and Programs for the Renault group and joined the Group Executive Committee.

Since September 1, 2008, he has also been the Leader of the Europe Management Committee. As of October 13, 2008, Patrick Pélata is appointed Chief Operating Officer of Renault.