Stellantis' new leader confirmed: Delegate from a trade union declares, "We've found our captain for the ship" following Antonio Filosa's visit to the Sochaux site.
New Stellantis CEO Visits Sochaux-Belchamp Site: Union Leader Expresses Expectations and Concerns
In a surprise visit, the newly appointed CEO of automotive manufacturer Stellantis, Antonio Filosa, chose the Sochaux site in France for his first stop. The executive, who took over from Carlos Tavares, met the team on Wednesday, May 28.
Benoît Vernier, the central CFDT union delegate at Stellantis Auto and secretary of the Sochaux-Belchamp site, welcomed the visit but expressed hope for a more meaningful meeting in the future. "We don't have a date yet, but we'd like to meet him. There's a central committee and economic committee scheduled for June 19, so I'm calling on the management for his attendance," Vernier said.
Vernier, who is optimistic about Filosa's appointment, voiced concerns about potential focus on American and Italian interests. He urged the CEO to send strong signals to French employees, emphasizing the significance of the French division in the company's strategy. "We're really hoping for a change of direction, a better balance between social and economic performance, more emphasis on employees, and a genuine social policy that prioritizes working conditions and product development," said the union delegate.
While the new CEO's plans for the company remain to be seen, there is a pressing concern about the Poissy site, according to Vernier. He has been requesting clarity on the site's future for several months, as the current vehicles are nearing the end of their life cycle, and a successor has yet to be announced. Vernier is uncertain about the site's future, stating, "We see that the current vehicles are reaching the end of their life cycle, and we don't know which future vehicles will be assigned to Poissy. We doubt there will be a future assignment."
Antonio Filosa officially begins his role as Stellantis CEO on June 23, 2025. Prior to his appointment, he served as the company's COO for the Americas and global chief quality officer. Filosa boasts over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, having started his career with Fiat in 1999 and spending much of his tenure in Brazil. His plans and strategies for Stellantis, particularly for French sites like Sochaux-Belchamp and Poissy, remain undisclosed.
- The French automotive industry is eagerly anticipating leadership from the new Stellantis CEO, Antonio Filosa, as he delves into the company's finance and business strategies.
- The general-news network reported that the Stellantis CEO's visit to the Sochaux site sparked hope for a collaborative partnership between business and politics, influencing the transportation sector in France.
- During a recent meeting, Benoît Vernier, the union leader at Stellantis Auto, expressed concerns about potential focus on American and Italian interests in the automotive division, calling for a balanced approach that prioritizes the French division.
- The leadership at Stellantis is under growing pressure to address the future of the Poissy site, as the current vehicle production is nearing its end and a successor has yet to be announced, generating widespread unease within the French division.
