In hindsight, past mistakes often become much clearer. However, Carlos Tavares denies being fired after clashing with people within Stellantis. Instead, he chose to leave on his terms following what he described as a “very mature” conversation with chairman John Elkann, who also holds the same role at Ferrari. Tavares, the former chief of the 14-brand automotive conglomerate, resigned in December 2024, despite having a CEO contract valid through early 2026.
During his time at Stellantis, Tavares admitted he could have done “tons of things” differently. His biggest regret was failing to win the support of US dealers for his agenda, which focused heavily on cost-cutting. But in an interview with Automotive News, he said the past “doesn’t matter” because the “company is profitable.” Still, net profit collapsed by 70 percent last year compared to 2023.
“I have nothing against anybody. Even those who made my life more difficult when I was the CEO of Stellantis. At one point in time there is a crossroad and somebody decides that it’s time to part ways. That’s fine.”
After a six-month search, Stellantis finally appointed a new CEO last week. Former Jeep chief Antonio Filosa will take over on June 23. Tavares described his successor as a “logical, credible choice,” but acknowledged the challenges ahead, especially amid the “chaos” caused by tariff wars.
Filosa also inherits the complex task of managing a sprawling portfolio of brands, several of which are underperforming. Whether all of them will remain under the Stellantis umbrella remains uncertain. Although rumors circulated about a Maserati sale, they were quickly denied. Lancia’s relaunch has gotten off to a sluggish start, while brands like DS Automobiles and Abarth are not exactly flourishing either.
In the US, reviving Chrysler must be a priority rather than allowing it to stagnate as a minivan brand. Repairing strained relationships with dealers is also crucial. And with Tavares gone, more V-8 models for America could help mend some of the rifts. Tavares expressed hope that Filosa “will be properly supported by the board” as he takes on these decisions.
Photo by: Stellantis
The leadership transition comes at a time when, according to Tavares, the auto industry is in “survival mode.” Just weeks before stepping down, he warned that legacy automakers can survive only if they achieve cost parity between electric and gas cars. Ultimately, Tavares chose to step away during a period of significant upheaval, creating space for Filosa to try and steer the Stellantis ship back on course.
It’s safe to say that the new CEO has a significant challenge ahead. He must rebuild what went wrong in recent years while navigating tariffs, fierce competition, and mounting regulatory pressure in Europe to accelerate the electrification process.
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