Antonio Filosa chose to send a message of reassurance in his first major speech to the French press since his appointment as head of Stellantis. In an article published in Le Figaro on June 5, 2026, the manufacturer’s new chief executive promises to invest over a billion euros in France, excludes any factory closures and reaffirms Peugeot’s central role in the group’s strategy.
“Stellantis wishes to maintain and develop the operation and related businesses in France without closing any factories,” he writes. The formula is far from trivial. For several years, the manufacturer has stood out with its rhetoric focusing above all on competitiveness, financial performance and cost control. Antonio Filosa, on the contrary, prefers to highlight the employees, regions, industrial partners and the group’s national roots.
In his column, the executive recalls that Stellantis directly employs approximately 40,000 people in France, relies on twelve factories spread across thirteen regions, and has more than forty industrial and academic partnerships. It’s a way to underline the economic weight of the manufacturer in France at a time when the European auto industry is going through a period of uncertainty.
desire for reconciliation
This speech came at a time when Stellantis was trying to open a sensitive page in its recent history. The final months of Carlos Tavares’ tenure were marked by tensions on parts of distribution networks, questions about the product strategy of certain brands and a deterioration in commercial performance in several European markets.
Antonio Filosa is trying to restore trust, without even mentioning his predecessor. The vocabulary used contrasts with the vocabulary used by the group’s interlocutors. The new boss insists on proximity to customers, local communities and industrial partners. He repeatedly mentions the responsibility of the producer in terms of employment and French industry. Under Carlos Tavares’ leadership, the priority given to profitability and financial performance were often overshadowed issues.
This desire for compromise is directed at public authorities as well as employees and distribution networks who expect greater stability after several months of turmoil. During his visit to the Mulhouse plant (68) on June 2, 2026, Antonio Filosa did not hesitate to thank public authorities for the assistance given to the electrification of new car sales; He also thanked them for their position in defending European industry and France’s stance on the Industrial Accelerator Law.
But in a stagnant European market and facing increasingly aggressive competition from China, industrial arbitrations could quickly become a sensitive issue again. The logic of partnership with Leapmotor on the one hand, and the creation of a joint venture with Dongfeng on the other, will have to demonstrate their capacity to produce the expected economies of scale.
Peugeot was founded as a symbol
Another strong signal: the place given to Peugeot. Antonio Filosa presents the brand as one of the historical pillars of the group and insists on its role in the future of Stellantis. Fiat in Italy, Peugeot in France: Of course, the two countries where the shareholders originate are careful about communication.
In particular, the executive talks about the development of the future STLA One platform in Mulhouse, the relaunch of the sports e-208 GTi and the announcement that the iconic 205 will return as an electric model by 2030. It also highlights the success of the 3008 and 5008 SUVs and confirms the aim to move DS Automobiles upmarket, even by returning it to Citroën’s control.
Because behind the hierarchy announced in the group’s brands, Stellantis’ boss explains that, first of all, the issue is to ensure that four global brands undertake technological investments. Once these become profitable, they will benefit regional brands such as Citroën…
Networks are still waiting
The new executive also emphasizes closeness with customers and partner networks. It’s a message that particularly resonates with distribution networks whose relationships have been extremely strained in the past.
But after a 2025 with worsening financial results, distributors are now expecting more than calming signals. They will evaluate Antonio Filosa’s mandate in terms of volumes, profitability and stability of strategic directions.
Automobile Magazine – English News
Source link 2026-06-28 07:16:00
