Stellantis might sound like a pharmaceutical company or a distant star, but it’s actually one of the world’s largest automakers. This automotive giant was formed in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with PSA Group, creating a new multinational company with an impressive lineup of vehicle brands. Stellantis is not owned by a single person but operates as a publicly traded company with shares available on stock exchanges. Its largest shareholders include Exor N.V. (the Agnelli family holding company), the Peugeot family, and the French government.
The merger that created Stellantis brought together famous American brands like Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler with European favorites such as Peugeot, Citroën, and Fiat. Though officially based in Amsterdam, the company maintains significant operations in France, Italy, and the United States. This global presence gives Stellantis a unique position in the automotive industry, allowing it to leverage different markets and technologies as the world shifts toward electric vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- Stellantis was created through the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, forming one of the world’s largest automakers.
- The company’s ownership is distributed among public shareholders with major stakes held by the Agnelli family (through Exor N.V.), the Peugeot family, and the French government.
- Stellantis controls 14 different automotive brands including Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, Peugeot, and Citroën, giving it a diverse global market presence.
The Formation of Stellantis
Stellantis emerged as one of the world’s largest automakers through the careful merger of two automotive giants. This joining created a powerful new entity with a diverse portfolio of vehicle brands and global reach.
Merger History and Timeline
Stellantis was officially formed on January 16, 2021, as the result of a 50:50 merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group. The merger talks began in late 2019, with both companies announcing their intention to combine forces.
The name “Stellantis” comes from the Latin word “stello,” meaning “to brighten with stars.” It was chosen to represent the rich heritage and bright future of the combined company.
Before the merger, FCA was already the result of Fiat’s acquisition of Chrysler, which had occurred gradually between 2009 and 2014. Chrysler had been struggling financially during the global economic crisis.
The merger created the world’s fourth-largest automaker at the time, bringing together iconic American brands like Jeep and Ram with European favorites like Peugeot and Citroën.
Key Figures in the Merger
Carlos Tavares, who previously led PSA Group, became the CEO of Stellantis. He brought extensive experience in turning around struggling automotive businesses and was instrumental in making PSA profitable before the merger.
John Elkann, the grandson of Fiat patriarch Gianni Agnelli, took the position of Chairman of Stellantis. As the head of Exor, the Agnelli family’s holding company, he had been guiding Fiat’s strategy for years.
The merger united leadership talent from both companies. FCA’s Mike Manley, who had led the company after Sergio Marchionne’s unexpected passing in 2018, initially headed Stellantis’ American operations.
The combined board includes representatives from both original companies, ensuring balanced governance for the new multinational automotive manufacturing company.
Ownership Structure
Stellantis has a diverse ownership structure with various stakeholders holding significant portions of the company’s shares. The automotive giant’s ownership is distributed among institutional investors, families, and government entities.
Key Shareholders
The Peugeot family owns 7.563% of Stellantis, making them one of the largest single shareholders. They control over 224 million shares in the company.
Bpifrance Participations SA holds a 6.5% stake with approximately 192.7 million shares. This represents significant French government interest in the automotive group.
Dongfeng Motor Group maintains a 1.66% ownership position, reflecting Chinese investment in the company.
Exor, established by John Elkann in 2009, is the largest shareholder of Stellantis, alongside its holdings in other major companies like Ferrari and Philips.
Stock Distribution
Stellantis stock ownership is split among different types of investors. About 30.32% of shares are held by institutional investors, with the remainder distributed among retail and individual investors.
Major financial groups like Vanguard are significant institutional holders of Stellantis stock. Other notable institutional investors include the Schweizerische Nationalbank (0.21%) and Zurich Insurance Group (0.06%).
For shareholder services, Stellantis works with several registrars including Computershare S.p.A. as the Italian Branch Registrar and Société Générale Securities Services for French operations.
Brand Portfolio
Stellantis houses an impressive array of automotive brands spanning American and European origins. These brands maintain their unique identities while benefiting from shared resources under the Stellantis umbrella.
Chrysler Group Brands
The American side of Stellantis includes several iconic brands that were formerly part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Chrysler focuses on family-friendly minivans and sedans, though its lineup has become more limited in recent years.
Jeep remains one of the most valuable brands in the portfolio, known worldwide for rugged SUVs and off-road capability. The Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models continue to be bestsellers.
Dodge maintains its performance-oriented identity with muscle cars like the Challenger and Charger. The brand is transitioning toward electrification while preserving its high-performance heritage.
Ram has become a standalone truck brand and has gained significant market share in the pickup segment with the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 models.
Fiat Group Brands
On the European side, Fiat serves as one of the cornerstone brands. Known for small, efficient city cars, Fiat has strong presence in European and South American markets.
Alfa Romeo represents Italian performance and luxury. The brand focuses on sporty vehicles with distinctive styling and driving dynamics.
Other European brands in the portfolio include Abarth (performance-tuned Fiats), Lancia (premium Italian cars), and Citroën (known for innovative comfort-focused vehicles).
Stellantis has also expanded into luxury territory with Maserati, offering high-end sports cars and sedans. In 2025, Leapmotor joined the group, strengthening Stellantis’ position in the electric vehicle market.
Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
Stellantis, formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, has been busy building key partnerships to strengthen its position in the global automotive market.
One of its notable alliances is with Mistral AI. The two companies are deepening their strategic collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence across multiple areas of Stellantis’ business.
In October 2023, Stellantis made a significant move into the electric vehicle market by investing €1.5 billion to become a strategic shareholder of Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. This investment made Stellantis the single largest shareholder of Leapmotor.
The company has also partnered with Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant. This strategic partnership was announced in May 2021, shortly after Stellantis was formed.
These partnerships reflect Stellantis’ commitment to innovation across several fronts:
- Artificial intelligence integration
- Electric vehicle expansion
- Electronics and technology advancement
Through these strategic alliances, Stellantis is positioning itself to compete effectively in the rapidly evolving automotive industry, particularly in the growing electric vehicle market and the integration of advanced technologies.
Corporate Governance
Stellantis operates with a clear governance structure that oversees the company’s operations and strategic decisions. The organization has established formal leadership bodies that guide the automotive giant’s global activities.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at Stellantis holds ultimate responsibility for the company’s management and strategic direction. This governing body includes both executive and non-executive members who bring diverse expertise to the table.
The Board makes critical decisions about Stellantis’s future, approves major business initiatives, and ensures proper oversight of operations. Members are selected based on their experience in automotive, finance, and global business leadership.
Board members meet regularly to review company performance and address challenges facing the global automotive manufacturer. They work closely with executive leadership to align on priorities and strategic goals.
Executive Management
The day-to-day operations of Stellantis are managed by the Interim Executive Committee (IEC). This team handles the company’s direction and oversight on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Executive leaders oversee specific areas like regional operations, brand management, and corporate functions. These professionals bring specialized knowledge to guide their respective departments toward achieving company goals.
When Stellantis was formed through the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a new leadership structure was established. The governance framework included the appointment of the Board of Directors and the adoption of the company’s Articles of Association.
All executive activities follow corporate regulations. These regulations include formal committee charters and a code of conduct that guides ethical business practices.
Financial Performance
Stellantis has experienced significant financial shifts in recent years. In 2024, the company faced notable challenges compared to its stronger 2023 performance. These changes reflect broader market conditions and the company’s ongoing transition strategies.
Revenue and Profit Analysis
Stellantis reported net revenues of €156.9 billion in 2024, marking a substantial 17% decrease compared to 2023. This decline coincided with a 12% drop in consolidated shipment volumes.
The company’s profitability took an even more dramatic hit. Net profits fell by 70% in 2024 to €5.5 billion (approximately $5.76 billion), accompanied by a 64% reduction in adjusted operating income.
This represents a stark contrast to the previous year when Stellantis had achieved record results in 2023. In 2023, revenues grew 6% to €189.5 billion, and net profit increased by 11% to €18.6 billion.
Market Share Insights
Stellantis has faced challenges maintaining market position across its various brands. The company attributed part of its 2024 performance decline to “temporary gaps in product portfolios”.
Despite these setbacks, Stellantis has expressed optimism about future growth. The company has publicly stated expectations for a “return to profitable growth and positive cash generation in 2025”.
This projected recovery will likely depend on how successfully Stellantis can navigate ongoing industry transitions. These transitions include electric vehicles and digital technologies, as well as addressing shipment volume challenges that affected their 2024 performance.
Research and Development
Stellantis puts a lot of effort into creating new technology and better vehicles. The company runs one of the largest networks of cooperative innovation in the automotive world.
Research and development (R&D) is a big part of how Stellantis stays competitive. The company works with researchers, scientists, and engineers from around the globe to develop new ideas and technologies.
When Stellantis formed in 2021 through the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, their R&D expenses increased significantly. This shows how important innovation is to the company’s strategy.
The former Chrysler part of Stellantis operates a massive 504-acre technology center where much of their research happens. This huge complex gives engineers and designers plenty of space to create.
Stellantis focuses on several key areas in their R&D efforts:
- Electric vehicle technology
- Autonomous driving systems
- Connected car features
- Sustainable manufacturing processes
By investing in these research areas, Stellantis aims to keep up with changing consumer demands and environmental regulations. Their global approach to innovation helps them develop vehicles that work for different markets around the world.
Sustainability Initiatives
Stellantis has made sustainability a core part of its business strategy. The company released its third Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, which shows their progress on various sustainability goals and targets.
One of the biggest commitments from Stellantis is their fight against climate change. They aim to reach carbon net zero emissions by 2038, an ambitious target that shows their dedication to environmental protection.
Their sustainability plan includes developing affordable and efficient mobility solutions. This helps make eco-friendly transportation accessible to more people around the world.
Stellantis is also working on creating a circular economy for their vehicles. They’ve been making progress in EV recycling and improving their supply chain practices to reduce environmental impact.
The company’s sustainability efforts cover three main areas:
- Economic initiatives
- Environmental protection
- Social responsibility
These initiatives are built into their “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, which guides their long-term sustainability goals. Their approach considers how business decisions affect not just profits, but people and the planet too.
Stellantis partners with other organizations to further their sustainability goals. For example, they’re working on establishing recycling systems for electric vehicle batteries to reduce waste and reuse valuable materials.
Their commitment to sustainability extends to their workforce and manufacturing processes, with ongoing efforts to make their factories more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Community Engagement and Social Responsibility
Stellantis takes community engagement seriously through its comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. This strategy isn’t separate from their business plans—it’s fully integrated into their Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.
The company is committed to creating a better future through responsible leadership in sustainable mobility. Their vision focuses on shaping a better future with a strong sense of responsibility in the new era of transportation.
In 2023, Stellantis released its third CSR Report showing strong progress toward their ambitious targets. The report highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability goals that align with their long-term business strategy.
One notable community initiative is the “Motor Citizens” program. Through this program, Stellantis employees participate in paid “days of service” to help their local communities thrive.
The company also makes significant financial commitments to communities where they operate. For example, in Detroit, Stellantis promised $13.8 million in community investments, with $5.8 million specifically dedicated to local development.
These initiatives demonstrate Stellantis’s dedication to being a good corporate citizen. Their approach combines environmental sustainability goals with direct community support and employee involvement.
Future Outlook
Stellantis faces important decisions in the coming years as it navigates leadership changes, evolving market conditions, and the industry-wide shift to electric vehicles. The multinational automotive company is working to balance its broad portfolio of brands while pursuing new technologies.
Upcoming Models and Innovations
Stellantis is betting big on electric vehicles across its many brands. Jeep plans to offer electric options in every vehicle segment by 2025, starting with the Recon and Wagoneer S. Ram is entering the electric truck market with the Ram 1500 REV.
Dodge is transitioning from its traditional muscle cars to what they call “eMuscle,” with the electric Charger Daytona leading this change. Chrysler aims to become an all-electric brand by 2028, with the Airflow concept showing their future direction.
Fiat is expanding its 500e electric vehicle to more markets, showing the company’s global approach to electrification. These new models represent Stellantis’ $35 billion investment in electrification and software through 2025.
Strategic Growth Plans
Stellantis is looking for a new CEO. The new CEO must be ready to make tough decisions about the company’s future. Chairman John Elkann has noted that 2025 will be a year of transition for the company.
The company has already cut thousands of jobs since its formation. It recently updated its financial guidance, indicating more changes ahead. Stellantis faces challenges in maintaining all 14 of its brands in a competitive market.
Their “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan aims for:
- 50% passenger car sales in the US to be electric by 2030
- 100% passenger car sales in Europe to be electric by 2030
- Carbon net zero status by 2038
Despite recent struggles, Stellantis is focusing on new technology partnerships. It is also focusing on market expansion in regions like Asia to secure its place in the automotive industry’s future.
