Auto makers need to push regulators around the world for consistent rules to allow autonomous cars to proliferate, the chief executive of Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. said Wednesday.

Carlos Ghosn, speaking at the New York International Auto Show, said he expects autonomous vehicles to become more commonplace in coming years, eventually changing lanes on highways and driving through cities on their own. His companies plan to offer 10 autonomous-drive models by 2020.

But differing regulations could present hurdles to clearing them for operation, he said.

“It’s very important that we…lobby in every single country with the regulatory authorities to take our eyes off the road and our hands off the wheel,” Mr. Ghosn said, noting that his companies are working with U.S. and Japanese regulators.

He made a distinction between autonomous vehicles and driverless cars, pointing to automobiles in the short term that will perform functions automatically while still requiring a driver at the wheel.