Antonio Filosa Appointed CEO of Stellantis Amid Industry Headwinds

The global automotive group Stellantis is entering a new chapter. Less than six months after the unexpected departure of Carlos Tavares—who stepped down in December 2024 following rising tensions with key shareholders—the company announced on Wednesday, May 28, that Antonio Filosa will take over as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Aged 51, the Italian engineer is no newcomer to the group. Having joined Fiat in 1999, he most recently headed Stellantis’ operations in the Americas, a crucial market where the company has recently struggled with bloated inventories and slumping sales. His appointment, effective June 23, follows a unanimous vote by the board of directors after a comprehensive search that included both internal and external candidates.

A Challenging Road Ahead for the Automotive Giant

In a message to employees, Filosa expressed his pride in taking the helm of a company born from the merger of Fiat-Chrysler and PSA. He faces a formidable challenge: steering a corporation that saw its net profit plummet by 70% in 2024, losing more than €6 billion in liquidity. Over the same period, Stellantis’ stock shed more than two-thirds of its market value.

Fourteen Brands, One Cohesive Strategy

In addition to financial recovery, Filosa must address the group’s sprawling brand portfolio, which includes Peugeot, Jeep, Fiat, Opel, Maserati, and Citroën. Industry analysts believe some of these brands may not survive a potential restructuring aimed at simplifying Stellantis’ organizational model.

The incoming CEO will also need to rebuild trust with dealers, labor unions, and government stakeholders—relationships that were significantly strained during the final months of Tavares’ leadership.

A special shareholder meeting will be convened in the coming days to ratify the appointment and oversee a smooth transition.