Paris (AFP)

Press boss Claude Perdriel recapitalized his Challenges group without the help of Renault, thereby slightly reducing the car manufacturer's participation in the magazine publisher, while ensuring that its relationship with the diamond brand remains "more than good" ", we learned Thursday.

Mr. Perdriel, the main shareholder and president of the Challenges group, announced to the specialized newspaper La Correspondance de la Presse that he had proceeded alone with a capital increase of 3.4 million euros.

And this, without contribution of Renault whose participation in the Challenges group is suddenly down from 40% to 35% of the capital, while that of Mr. Perdriel has escalated mechanically to 65%.

However, at the beginning of the year, Challenges announced a capital increase of a total of € 5 million, to which Renault was supposed to contribute € 2.25 million and which was intended to finance its development. A contribution of fresh money following the acquisition of 40% stake in Challenges by Renault at the end of 2017.

Claude Perdriel claims that he himself asked Renault not to participate in the capital increase, while ensuring that relations remain "more than good" with the manufacturer.

If Renault sees its participation decrease, the automaker retains its blocking minority and "everyone is happy" with this new configuration that "better reflects his role in the company," said Perdriel at the Correspondence de la press.

In addition, he says in the starting blocks in terms of development of podcasts for Renault (project at the heart of the partnership between the two groups), saying expect contracts next year.

The Challenges group had already denied any friction with its Renault shareholder in June, after having ensured at the beginning of the year that the legal setbacks of Carlos Ghosn, the owner's fallen boss, would have no impact on their partnership.

At the end of 2017, Renault had taken a 40% stake in Claude Perdriel's press group, in financial difficulties, to test the creation of adapted content (such as podcasts) for connected car users.

The press group publishes the business weekly Challenges, Sciences et Avenir, and the magazines L'Histoire, Historia and La recherche.

© 2019 AFP