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Stellantis, the global automotive giant behind brands like Jeep, Peugeot, and Fiat, announced on Wednesday the appointment of company veteran Antonio Filosa as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Filosa will succeed Carlos Tavares, who unexpectedly departed in December, as the US-European group grapples with US tariffs and slumping North American sales.
The new CEO, an Italian manager with extensive experience leading Stellantis’s operations in both North and South America, was unanimously chosen by the board after a comprehensive search for internal and external candidates.
Stellantis stated that an extraordinary shareholder meeting will be called soon to formally elect Filosa to the board as an executive director, with his full CEO powers becoming effective on June 23.
The company highlighted Filosa’s “proven track record of hands-on success during his more than 25 years in the automotive industry,” alongside his global experience, deep company knowledge, and leadership qualities.
Stellantis, which also includes Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, and Maserati, has been experiencing declining sales in its crucial North American market.
These challenges have been exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on the automotive industry.
Last month, Stellantis withdrew its annual financial guidance due to the uncertainty surrounding these levies.
Filosa, who previously served as CEO of the Jeep brand, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer for the Americas region in December.
Since then, he has focused on strengthening US operations, significantly reducing excessive dealership inventories, and reorganising the leadership team.
His predecessor, Tavares, orchestrated the ambitious 2021 merger that brought together over a dozen brands under the Stellantis umbrella.
While his three-year tenure was initially marked by high profit margins envied by rivals, the company’s strong performance began to falter last year as sales plummeted in the United States.
