MILAN (AP) – Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest car manufacturer, has appointed Italian auto executive Antonio Filosa as its new chief executive officer. This decision comes as a replacement for Carlos Tavares, who resigned under pressure last year. Filosa, who is currently serving as Stellantis' chief operating officer for the Americas and chief quality officer, will officially begin his new role on June 23, 2023. He is expected to announce his leadership team on that date.
The transition marks a return to Italian leadership for Stellantis, which was formed in 2021 from the merger of France's PSA Peugeot and Italian-American carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. John Elkann, the heir to the Fiat-founding Agnelli family, will continue in his role as chairman. Elkann expressed his confidence in Filosa, praising his "deep understanding of our company, including its people, who he views as our core strength, and of our industry."
Robert Peugeot, a member of the board, stated that the decision to appoint Filosa was unanimous. He described Filosa as a "natural choice" due to his successful leadership track record, extensive knowledge of the automotive business, and awareness of the complex challenges currently facing the industry. Filosa's experience within the company is noteworthy, having joined Fiat in 1999 and predominantly working in Latin America. His roles have ranged from plant manager to head of purchasing, finally becoming chief operating officer.
During his tenure in Latin America, Filosa made significant contributions by boosting the Fiat brand to regional market leadership. Additionally, he played a key role in increasing market share for other Stellantis brands, including Peugeot, Citroen, Ram, and Jeep. In 2024, he was promoted to the position of chief operating officer for the Americas amid an executive shakeup, which was necessitated by declining sales in North America—the primary source of the company’s profits.
Stellantis has been facing challenges in its global transition to electric powertrains and is contending with fierce competition from Chinese automakers. Analysts have pointed out that Stellantis, which encompasses 14 different brands, is burdened with several under-performing entities, including Maserati and Chrysler. These factors underline the critical timing of Filosa's appointment as the company seeks to realign its strategy and enhance its market position.
As the automotive industry moves towards electrification and sustainability, Filosa will need to navigate these challenges deftly. His appointment signifies a strategic shift within Stellantis, with an emphasis on leveraging internal talent familiar with the company's operations and the broader market landscape. With significant hurdles ahead, the effectiveness of Filosa’s leadership and decision-making in this new role will be closely scrutinized by stakeholders and analysts alike.
