Former Stellantis Chief Warns: Auto Giant with 14 Brands Could Be Split Up

After Carlos Tavares stepped down as CEO of Stellantis in December last year and was succeeded by Antonio Filosa, the company immediately launched a brand-restructuring plan.

In a recent interview, Tavares warned that Stellantis could be in danger of being broken up. The company was formed in 2021 through the merger of Italy’s Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and France’s PSA Group and now manages 14 brands globally.

“I am worried that the three-way balance between Italy, France and the U.S. will break,” Tavares said. “With me gone, I am not sure that the French interests that I always had at heart… will be as well defended.”

Tavares suggests that a Chinese manufacturer (he did not name names) might one day acquire Stellantis’ European arm, while the U.S. side could regain full control of brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM. He believes such a split could give each party a competitive edge, particularly in the U.S. market.

He left in 2024 after facing heavy criticism over his aggressive cost-cutting strategy and a full pivot to electric vehicles — both of which backfired. Looking back, he concedes that “there are many things I could have done differently.”