The chairman of the ailing government-owned French...

The chairman of the ailing government-owned French auto maker Renault resigned at the urging of the company’s directors in the wake of losses that may swell to a record $1 billion for 1984.

Bernard Hanon, 53, who has been chairman since 1982, is expected to be replaced today by Georges Besse, 58, head of Pechiney Metals Group. Besse is credited with helping return Pechiney to profitability after losses of $310 million in 1982, the year he took over.

Renault’s share of the French and European new-car markets has been sliding--down 23% last year--as its aging or unpopular new models lost ground to competition from rejuvenated companies like Ford. The government has blamed problems at the company, which owns a majority of American Motors Corp., on lax administration and on management’s failure to mobilize workers.