Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa Restructures Leadership Team on Day One

Stellantis NV's newly appointed CEO, Antonio Filosa, formally commenced his role on Monday, June 5, 2023, with a strategic restructuring of the company's senior leadership team. Filosa will maintain direct oversight of Stellantis's North American operations while also managing U.S. brands including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, a company announcement confirmed.

Filosa's leadership team consists of 12 members, primarily comprising familiar faces from within the organization, reflecting continuity amidst a backdrop of significant market challenges. Notably, the restructuring involves the departure of Béatrice Foucher, the Chief Planning Officer, and Maxime Picat, who previously managed various segments within the company and was considered a potential successor to Filosa.

Since late 2022, Filosa has been responsible for the North American region, a role that has become increasingly critical as Stellantis grapples with declining sales figures and the pressing need to revitalize its market presence. According to a statement from Filosa, the new leadership team embodies a "profound understanding of our brands, our products, and our customers," emphasizing the collective expertise and entrepreneurial spirit required to navigate the evolving automotive landscape.

In an effort to adapt to changing market dynamics, the senior leadership team will include several key leaders with expanded responsibilities. Doug Ostermann, Chief Financial Officer, will now also oversee mergers and acquisitions alongside his existing duties. Jean-Philippe Imparato will continue to manage the European region and brands, which now integrates the luxury brand Maserati, previously operated separately.

Emanuele Cappellano has been appointed to lead the South American operations and Stellantis Pro One, the firm’s commercial vehicle division. Philippe de Rovira will oversee sales and operations in the Middle East, Africa, China, and the Asia-Pacific region while also maintaining his responsibilities for Stellantis Financial Services. Other notable appointments include Davide Mele for product planning, Ned Curic for product development and technology, and Clara Ingen-Housz for corporate affairs and communications.

Filosa, who has been with Stellantis and its predecessor companies for 25 years, noted that the reshuffled organization is crucial to stabilizing the automaker’s operations and driving a resurgence in sales amid ongoing challenges, such as tariffs and changing emissions regulations under the Trump administration.

The leadership changes come in the wake of a tumultuous period for Stellantis, marked by the resignation of former CEO Carlos Tavares in December 2022, following a profit warning and declining sales. Tavares had led the company since the merger creating Stellantis in 2021. Filosa's deep-seated experience within the company, having ascended from a quality supervisor in Spain to the helm of North American operations, positions him uniquely to implement the necessary strategic shifts.

With an emphasis on innovation and operational efficiency, Filosa aims to enhance Stellantis's competitive edge in a rapidly transforming automotive market. The newly constituted leadership team will be instrumental in executing the vision to position Stellantis as a frontrunner in the next era of the automotive industry.

Filosa's immediate actions are anticipated to influence Stellantis's trajectory significantly, as the company seeks to reclaim market share and profitability in the face of fierce competition and evolving consumer preferences. The upcoming months will be critical as Filosa and his team implement their strategies to secure Stellantis’s future in the global automotive market.