U.S. Senator-Elect Says Stellantis Should Divest American Brands

U.S. Senator-elect Bernie Moreno, an Ohio-based auto dealer and Republican ally of President-elect Donald Trump is making waves with his bold stance on the automotive industry. Moreno has publicly called for Stellantis to spin off its iconic American brands—Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram—arguing that they belong back in U.S. hands to be managed with the care and vision they deserve.

During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Moreno didn’t hold back in criticizing Stellantis, the global automaker formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group. He accused Stellantis of prioritizing European interests over the success of its American brands, which have been household names for decades.

“They’ve been a terrible steward of the brands,” Moreno said while traveling through Ohio in his Jeep Grand Wagoneer, an SUV emblematic of Jeep’s legacy. “I’m hoping [Stellantis Chairman] John Elkann does the right thing and spins off Chrysler Corporation, putting it back under American ownership.”

The History Behind Stellantis – 

Stellantis was born from the merger of two automotive giants: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and France’s PSA Group. John Elkann, a descendant of the Agnelli family—founders of Fiat—has chaired Stellantis since its inception. While Stellantis touts its commitment to its American brands, Moreno and others argue that recent decisions, including layoffs and plant closures in the U.S., reflect misplaced priorities.

Carlos Tavares, Stellantis’ now-former CEO, faced criticism for his handling of the company’s U.S. operations. Under his leadership, the automaker focused on cutting costs, leading to thousands of job losses. Tavares’ departure earlier this month comes amid mounting tension between Stellantis and its American workforce and dealers.

Moreno’s Vision for U.S. Automotive Policy – 

Moreno’s automotive roots run deep. Having built a successful luxury car dealership empire in Ohio, he understands the industry from the ground up. His vision for the future includes strengthening the presence of American automakers by rolling back electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, adjusting fuel economy standards, and incentivizing domestic manufacturing.

He believes the first step toward revitalizing the American auto industry is freeing Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram from Stellantis’ control. Moreno criticized Stellantis for cutting U.S. jobs while maximizing profits in other markets. “This guy [Tavares] fired all the Americans,” Moreno said, blaming Stellantis’ European leadership for exploiting its U.S. brands without investing in their long-term success.

The Bigger Picture – 

Moreno’s call for action aligns with a broader push for America-first economic policies. He wants to see these legendary brands flourish under domestic leadership: Jeep, known for its rugged off-road vehicles; Ram, a leader in the pickup truck market; Dodge, famous for its muscle cars; and Chrysler, a historic innovator.

“I know what they eventually plan to do, and it will never happen as long as I’m US Senator and Trump is in the White House,” Moreno said. A spokesman later clarified that he hasn’t discussed the idea of unwinding elements of the Stellantis merger directly with Trump.

“We are proud to employ many thousands of people and support our communities across Michigan, Indiana and Ohio,” Stellantis said in its statement. “2025 will be an exciting year, with many projects which will benefit from the group’s cutting-edge technology and scale.”

Source: Bloomberg