CEO Antonio Filosa outlines Stellantis’ strategy to overcome 2025 challenges

New leader at Stellantis takes the wheel

Antonio Filosa’s journey from a night shift paint shop supervisor in Spain to becoming Stellantis’ new CEO is a true story of dedication and growth. At 51 years old, he brings a fresh but experienced perspective to guide the company through tough times.

Filosa promises to make tough decisions and roll up his sleeves to revive the struggling automaker. People who have worked with him describe him as a leader who listens and understands every part of the business, from factory floors to executive offices.

Big challenges ahead for Filosa

Filosa steps in after a difficult period marked by falling sales and profits under the previous CEO. Stellantis has lost significant ground in the U.S. market, with U.S. shipments falling nearly a quarter in the first half of 2025 versus a year earlier, causing concern among dealers and investors.

His job includes repairing relationships with dealers, employees, and politicians that were damaged during this time. Filosa must also balance investments in traditional vehicles with the growing demand for electric and hybrid models, making the future path complicated.

A strategy for changing times

While electric vehicles are clearly the future, Filosa believes the transition should be carefully managed. He plans to focus on a mix of hybrids, electric models, and gas-powered cars to keep Stellantis competitive without rushing the shift too fast.

This flexible strategy aims to meet customer needs and regulatory demands at the same time. By offering different powertrain options, Stellantis hopes to remain profitable as the industry evolves toward cleaner technology.

Fixing dealer relationships

Dealers have been frustrated with recent cuts and lost sales, which hurt the company’s market presence. Filosa has already begun reaching out, visiting plants, and listening to dealers’ concerns to rebuild trust and cooperation.

Although progress is underway, many dealers say there is still a long road ahead to restore confidence. Filosa’s open style and willingness to engage directly with dealers are seen as a positive step in healing those strained relationships.

Product line needs a boost

The company has struggled with a lack of new models, which has contributed to declining sales. However, new versions of popular vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee and Ram trucks are expected to help reverse this trend and attract buyers back.

Re-introducing a gas-powered Dodge Charger alongside the new EV model signals a continued commitment to traditional performance buyers. These product updates are crucial for Stellantis to regain momentum in a highly competitive market.

Financial hurdles to overcome

In 2024, Stellantis’ revenue declined by 17% year-over-year, even as some rivals grew, while competitors like General Motors and Ford showed growth. Filosa faces the challenge of turning around this decline and improving the company’s financial health.

Investors want to see better profits and a more focused approach to managing Stellantis’ large portfolio of 14 brands. Balancing cost control with innovation will be key to regaining confidence and market share.

A leader who knows the company

Filosa’s 25 years at Stellantis give him deep insight into the company’s culture and operations. His long history with the brand makes him a steady choice to lead during this challenging time.

Industry insiders describe him as a calm and reliable leader who understands both the people and the business. This background makes him well-suited to help Stellantis find stability and growth.

Battling high costs in europe

High labor and energy costs in Europe, especially Italy, make building electric cars more expensive compared to other regions. This is a major obstacle for Stellantis as it works to expand its electric vehicle production.

Filosa will need to focus on reducing these costs to keep European factories competitive. Finding solutions to energy expenses will be critical to the company’s success in this market.

Balancing tradition with Innovation

Stellantis plans to keep Italy central to its manufacturing and design work, showing respect for its roots. New factories and models will support this plan while adapting to new technologies.

According to Reuters, Stellantis is leaning on multi-energy platforms that can underpin ICE, hybrid, and BEV variants to match regional demand. This approach offers flexibility as customer preferences and regulations change across regions.

The future of electric vehicles at Stellantis

Stellantis has several electric vehicles in development, but the company is also committed to continuing gas-powered options. Some electric models, like Alfa Romeo’s new offerings, may face delays as the strategy evolves.

Filosa must balance these challenges while deciding the right mix of vehicles to meet both customer demand and environmental goals.

The importance of Italy in Stellantis’ plan

Stellantis has pledged to maintain significant production in Italy, including extending Fiat Panda production at Pomigliano (near Naples) while working with the government on future model allocations. This highlights Stellantis’ dedication to keeping Italian manufacturing a key part of its global strategy.

By focusing on Italy, the company honors its heritage and supports local jobs, even as it pushes forward into new automotive technologies. This balance will be important for the brand’s identity.

Gigafactory challenges in Italy

The planned battery factory in Italy has faced delays, slowing production of batteries needed for electric vehicles. This factory was a joint project with Mercedes and TotalEnergies, but has faced delays and reassessment amid softer battery demand; Stellantis has kept transmission output in Termoli while battery plans are reviewed.

The factory’s future depends on the success of electric car sales in Europe and the company’s ability to overcome energy and labor cost issues. How this situation unfolds will shape Stellantis’ EV ambitions.

The legacy of Sergio Marchionne

Filosa grew up under the mentorship of Sergio Marchionne, the leader who saved Fiat and Chrysler. Marchionne’s hands-on approach and vision still influence Stellantis’ culture and leadership style today.

Filosa hopes to carry on Marchionne’s legacy by being a people-focused, problem-solving CEO who can guide the company through tough challenges and build on its strengths.

Fixing sales in the U.S. market

Sales in the U.S. have dropped sharply, pushing Stellantis from fourth to sixth place in the market. Filosa sees growing retail market share, meaning sales to individual customers, as critical to turning this around.

Winning back dealers and customers is a priority. Stellantis needs to improve its presence and appeal in the U.S. to compete with major rivals in the automotive space.

A multi-energy future

Instead of focusing only on electric vehicles, Stellantis is committed to a mix of powertrain options. Hybrids, range extenders, and gas-powered cars will all remain part of the lineup during the transition.

This flexible approach helps the company serve different markets and customer preferences while preparing for stricter emissions rules in the coming years.

Explore why major automakers are hitting the brakes on EV rollouts as consumer interest wanes and incentives shrink.

Leadership style focused on people

Filosa is known for his ability to connect with employees and dealers on a personal level. He listens carefully and values teamwork, which helps build trust across the company.

His hands-on leadership style creates an environment where people feel heard and involved. This approach may be key to restoring morale after a difficult period.

U.S. EV Sales Slump Again—Third Consecutive Quarterly Decline Raises Industry Concerns.

From electrification to market shifts, Stellantis has a game plan. Which move from CEO Antonio Filosa’s strategy do you think will make the biggest impact, and why?

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.