Stellantis CEO Discusses Italian Production,Brand Strategy,and Marchionne’s Legacy
Stellantis is actively working to secure the future of its Termoli plant through the assignment of production for the new EDCT gearbox – electrified transmissions intended for electric vehicles and global export. The company reports the EDCT production is progressing well at the Mirafiori plant, framing the Termoli assignment as a key step in a broader global implementation.
Addressing the goal of producing one million vehicles in Italy, the CEO acknowledged the challenge posed by a three-million-car decline in the European automotive market over recent years. The focus is on maximizing production volumes from existing and future projects assigned to Italy, while recognizing the overall deterioration of the European automotive industry and the urgent need for strategic decisions to reverse this trend. regulatory revisions are seen as crucial to achieving this.
Regarding the Stellantis portfolio of 14 brands, the CEO firmly stated that the brands represent a core strength. Specifically addressing rumors surrounding Maserati, he emphasized that the brand is not for sale, but requires a focused strategy regarding product advancement and long-term vision.
The recent partnership with Chinese automaker leapmotor was presented as a positive step, positioning it as a response to the increasing presence of Chinese automotive companies in Europe. The CEO highlighted China’s advancements in automotive technology - including ADAS, smart cockpits, and central computing - but noted a relative lack of emphasis on brand identity and design, areas where Stellantis maintains a competitive advantage. The partnership is expected to create synergies and leverage leapmotor’s processes, suppliers, and supply chain to extend Stellantis’ automotive know-how.
the CEO addressed the prominence of former Stellantis executives – often referred to as “Marchionne Boys” – in leadership positions across various industries.He expressed deep respect for the late Sergio Marchionne, acknowledging him as a formative influence and stating that being considered a “Marchionne Boy” is an honor. He described a close working relationship with Marchionne, including direct supervision for six to seven years and multiple promotions, the last occurring in March 2018 with his entry into the GEC. He identified himself as one of the last appointments made by Marchionne to the GEC.
