John Elkann (Stellantis): “The automotive industry is moving from a global model to a multi-regional, then a regional organization”
“I have spent my entire professional life in the automotive industry and I can say that there has never been a period marked by so many transformations and challenges as today”he said John Elkann when openingInvestor Day 2026.
President of the company Stellantis he insisted that the group needed it “back to basics” after a turbulent period for the sector. “Over the past year, our priority has been to get back to basics: making great vehicles that our customers love and trust”he explained.
In this context, John Elkann justified the choiceAntonio Filosa take over the operational management of the manufacturer. “It was for this reason that it was natural and legitimate that our new CEO came from within the company”stressed, greeting “specific industry knowledge and deep understanding of the dynamics of our group and our sector”. According to him, after his arrival, the new leader “aimed at putting the company back on a solid footing to build on lasting success.” A transformation that John Elkann describes as “profound and necessary”.
More regional organization
President Stellantis believes that the manufacturer has a special advantage in the increasingly fragmented automotive market. “The industry is moving from a global model to a multi-regional, then a regional organization”he said.
In this development, Stellantis intends to leverage its global presence and the diversity of its brands. “Thanks to its history and its very nature, Stellantis has a unique opportunity to turn this multi-regional reality into a sustainable and differentiating competitive advantage”explained John Elkann. The manager also discussed the first results of the measures taken by the new management team. “We are already seeing the first encouraging signs that these actions are producing results”he assured while realizing it “There is still much to be done.
The environment is always under tension
In his speech, John Elkann did not minimize the difficulties that the automotive sector continues to face. “Competition is intense, technology cycles are accelerating and the external environment remains extremely volatile”he recalled.
Despite these tensions, President Stellantis says he wants to move forward “with insight, agility and ambition, but also with humility”. according to him “Success is not built overnight. It is built day by day through rigorous execution.”
The group now intends to elaborate its plan its “FaSTLAne 2030” plan, presented by Antonio Filosa and his management team during this Investor Day. John Elkann promises “An ambitious but realistic plan, based on responsibility and a deep understanding of the markets in which we operate.”
