Stellantis CFO Shake-Up: Ostermann Out, Laranjo In
Leadership Change Shocks Industry, Raises Questions About Stellantis’ Future
Stellantis stunned everyone this morning by announcing that Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Doug Ostermann has stepped down immediately, citing personal reasons. In his place, the company has tapped longtime financial executive Joao Laranjo as the new CFO and a member of the Stellantis Leadership Team.
The move caught many by surprise. Ostermann was considered a cornerstone of CEO Antonio Filosa’s turnaround strategy, helping the automaker stabilize after a turbulent period of electric vehicle (EV) investments, high interest rates, and shifting global markets. His sudden departure has already sparked industry chatter, with many wondering what this means for the company’s financial playbook moving forward.
“Doug played a crucial role in our journey, and his contributions will not be forgotten,” Filosa said. “I would also like to thank Doug Ostermann for his many years of dedicated service to FCA and Stellantis.”
The spotlight now shifts to Laranjo, who is no stranger to the Stellantis world. With over two decades in finance, including senior roles at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Stellantis North America, he’s built a reputation for steady leadership in complex markets. Laranjo began at General Electric (GE) in 2001 before joining FCA in 2009, where he worked across Latin America and North America in accounting, planning, compliance, and treasury. He briefly left in 2024 to head up finance for Goodyear’s Americas division before returning to Stellantis earlier this year.
Filosa expressed strong confidence in his new finance chief, saying: “Having worked closely with Joao for 15 years and witnessed his rise through the ranks, I have consistently been impressed by his excellent financial acumen, results-driven mindset, and deep understanding of our industry’s complexities. I am pleased to welcome him to the Stellantis Leadership Team as we continue to position our company for future growth and long-term success.”
Still, the timing raises eyebrows. Ostermann was viewed as one of the key figures keeping Stellantis on track through aggressive restructuring and the launch of new products. For many employees and investors, his abrupt exit feels like a potential shake-up to the careful balance Stellantis has tried to maintain under Filosa’s leadership.
Despite the uncertainty, Stellantis confirmed that its 2025 financial guidance remains unchanged and that its third-quarter results will be released on October 30 as scheduled. For now, all eyes are on Laranjo to see how he steadies the ship and whether this leadership change proves to be a smooth transition—or a bump in Stellantis’ ambitious road ahead.
