BREAKING: Antonio Filosa Named New Stellantis CEO

BREAKING: Antonio Filosa Named New Stellantis CEO​

Veteran Exec Steps Up to Lead Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Parent​

Stellantis has officially named Antonio Filosa as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a major leadership shift for the parent company of American brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram. Filosa will take over CEO duties beginning June 23, 2025, following a unanimous vote by the Stellantis Board of Directors.

BREAKING: Antonio Filosa Named New Stellantis CEO

BREAKING: Antonio Filosa has been named the new Stellantis CEO, leading the company forward in a crucial phase.

moparinsiders.com

 

[BWS1]

He has got it backassward ..... when margins turned upside down, Honda and Toyota didn't stop building product, they doubled down on product. They didn't idle nearly half the capacity, they made sure that capacity was full. They didn't add product complexity they removed it.

Nearly every thing we suggest here is wrong, and fundamentally misunderstanding the cost and manufacturing structure. 25 plus year I have been trying to explain the role of capacity and utilization here and it falls on deaf ears.

Sale volume is not about popularity, quality, even a specific product. It is about capacity... and not even macro-capacity... Micro-capacity. A single tool issue can decide sales volume. Demand is what defines margin.

The job of the CMO it define what the most you can charge for a product and make sure the capacity is optimized as well as margins.

But But But see they are over priced and demand creates volume issue..... Well I wish it was that simple the thing is with nearly half your capacity idle. Brampton, Belvedere, Windsor. Model change overs in Jefferson, and Warren .... Not to mention engine plants. Not down for a few month down for over a year. Your trying to cover your fixed cost over too few units.

The best thing this guy can do is get product being built in his idle capacity ....... A utilization comes up the cost per unit comes down, cost comes down margins rise and pricing across the board fall.

I get it we are interested in product because that is fun part... I am expert, I know what people want, the same thing I want..... talking about utilization and capacity is booooooorrrrrringggggg.... not sexy......................... BUT what is biggest issue at STLA in NA... NO PRODUCT. No Charger, No D segment Dodge CUV, Old minivan, Old Durango, Old Compass, No Cherokee, No Renegade, No Challenger, No Dakota, Long 1500 Change over... No No No No NO product and idle capacity. Operationally the company is in pure chaos.

As I have often said over the last two years. They’re a car company. They might want to start building……………cars. . Again you just can’t overstate the magnitude of ineptitude on display.

 

[patfromigh]

As I have often said over the last two years. They’re a car company. They might want to start building……………cars. . Again you just can’t overstate the magnitude of ineptitude on display.

We can't build cars. We spent all our money on Archer Aircraft. (The Management)

 

[james.mooney.]

I'm curious about not just capacity at the North American plants but also flexibility.

I've read reports that the Melfi plant in Italy (which produces the 500X, Renegade, and Compass) is gearing up to produce 7(!) different vehicles on STLA Medium in the next few years.

With Dodge and Chrysler in particular being out of so many segments for so long, it is hard to imagine that they will be able to get some of the assembly plants running at full capacity with only one or two models without flooding dealer lots with unsold vehicles and exploding inventory. Multiple lower-volume models from each plant seems like the way to go until market share can be regained.

Imagine what we could have if Brampton were able to produce 7 STLA Medium models for the North American market! Not just a new Compass but a new Hornet, Neon sedan, Rampage pickup, Chrysler Portal MPV, etc. Set it up to run Medium AND Small/Smart and we could have a new locally-produced Renegade, Omni 024-style hot hatch, Strada-based baby Ram (Ram Ewe, Ram Lamb, oh black Betty, ha ha), small Chrysler MPV, etc. If they give Small/Smart and Medium each their own highly-flexible plant, they could even locally produce some of the Italian brand models like the 500, Grande Panda, 600, Junior, Tonale, etc.

 

[TripleT]

I think you get beyond 3 models in your pull system it just becomes unmanageable and you go backwards not to mention how tight the lineside floor space would be become. I think you would need two lines to do 7 well, if your going bring down cost you have make thing more simple. Toyota is moving to one powertrain for each platform. Why? Because despite what we think most people put gas in and if the right pedal makes it go they are happy.

 

[cgseller]

I think you get beyond 3 models in your pull system it just becomes unmanageable and you go backwards not to mention how tight the lineside floor space would be become. I think you would need two lines to do 7 well, if your going bring down cost you have make thing more simple. Toyota is moving to one powertrain for each platform. Why? Because despite what we think most people put gas in and if the right pedal makes it go they are happy.

I believe you are right @TripleT. While consumers may talk stuff at the dinner table or around the campfire, most actually buy because they want it to work, want it to have some kind of feature that they need/desire (blindspots, carplay, can get in, reach things, haul/store things) and then it is all about emotional attachment (color, style, prestige, my friend said it was good/bad)

Unlike the population here (self selecting) the size of the engine/motor, the number of pistons, the sound of the throttle, does not matter. When I wake up and need to get going, does it start, does it warm up/cool down, does it need service, and does it it need fuel/power. That is what matters.

 

[AlexB]

There is something to this. However, is there an analogy today for the cars of 30 years ago that were manual crank,heat only,fixed cloth seats, AM/FM 4 speaker? Will consumers buy those like they did in the 80s/90s ? Have American consumers become accustomed to cheap disposable technology that even the poor man can have a 50" flat TV just like the rich man?

Nope.

 

[TripleT]

I believe you are right @TripleT. While consumers may talk stuff at the dinner table or around the campfire, most actually buy because they want it to work, want it to have some kind of feature that they need/desire (blindspots, carplay, can get in, reach things, haul/store things) and then it is all about emotional attachment (color, style, prestige, my friend said it was good/bad)

Unlike the population here (self selecting) the size of the engine/motor, the number of pistons, the sound of the throttle, does not matter. When I wake up and need to get going, does it start, does it warm up/cool down, does it need service, and does it it need fuel/power. That is what matters.

Yes the population here seems project their wants and desires on the grander market when it reality we are the exceptions.

Not to say we are part of a profitable niche... but overall we are not the grand market. Look at the comments about Hybrids.. that is standard fair now nearly everyone wants there engine to be hybrid..... it old tech at this point. People do not equate them to EV like suggested. Reality is without range fear... people Choose EVs.... Aside from pickups ..... All the best selling cars have a high volume or exclusively Hybrids or are EV.


Car play, good infotainments system. Convenient options, good styling, and Efficiency .... your right.

 

[redriderbob]

I never put this into the article, however, I got Antonio's letter to the employees from last week.

 

[Bili]

I think you get beyond 3 models in your pull system it just becomes unmanageable and you go backwards not to mention how tight the lineside floor space would be become. I think you would need two lines to do 7 well, if your going bring down cost you have make thing more simple. Toyota is moving to one powertrain for each platform. Why? Because despite what we think most people put gas in and if the right pedal makes it go they are happy.

Melfi had and maybe still has 2 separate production lines.

 

[TripleT]

Melfi had and maybe still has 2 separate production lines.

In theory you can do 7 but floor space line side gets crowded… it would be better to do 3 to 4 at a time and Rotate them in

 

[Jeeper1961]

Stellantis stock price is down again today. We need to see some bold moves and new product to reverse this trend. I sure hope Filosa can pull this off. I applaud his words to the employees and his dedication to making a lifelong career at Stellantis.
Elkann certainly made some quick and bold decisions but it needs to continue. The auto business is extremely competitive and difficult. It's no place for a weakling. It's not difficult to understand what people want to buy. It begins with strong leadership and vision. Godspeed Antonio.