Peralihan Kepimpinan dan Langkah Interim

Lembaga pengarah Stellantis, yang dipengerusikan oleh John Elkann, menerima peletakan jawatan Tavares dengan serta-merta. Elkann kini mengetuai jawatankuasa eksekutif sementara sementara syarikat mencari CEO baharu, yang dijangka selesai pada separuh pertama 2025. Henri de Castries, Pengarah Bebas Kanan, menyatakan bahawa pandangan strategik yang berbeza antara Tavares, pemegang saham utama, dan lembaga pengarah telah menyebabkan perletakan jawatan ini.

Amaran Keuntungan dan Isu Operasi

Pada bulan September, Stellantis mengeluarkan amaran keuntungan, menyatakan kemungkinan pembakaran tunai sehingga €10 bilion ($10.6 bilion) akibat jualan di Amerika Utara yang lemah dan tahap inventori yang tinggi. Jualan di A.S. jatuh 17% pada suku ketiga 2024, dengan jenama seperti Dodge, Ram, Jeep, dan Chrysler mengalami prestasi yang buruk. Masalah inventori juga menjadi kebimbangan, dengan model seperti Ram 1500 dan Jeep Wagoneer yang melebihi tahap bekalan purata berbanding pesaing.

Ketidakpuasan Peniaga dan Kesatuan

Peniaga dan kesatuan pekerja semakin kecewa sepanjang tahun lalu. Jeff Laethem, peniaga Stellantis di Detroit, mengungkapkan rasa lega dengan perubahan kepimpinan, menyebut kesulitan menjual model 2023. Presiden UAW, Shawn Fain, turut mengkritik kepimpinan Tavares, menuding pemberhentian pekerja dan kenderaan yang tidak terjual, serta menyatakan “Tavares meninggalkan kekacauan.”

Cabaran dan Jalan Hadapan

Sejak penggabungan Fiat Chrysler dan PSA untuk membentuk Stellantis pada 2021, Tavares memberi amaran bahawa jenama yang kurang berprestasi dalam portfolio 14 jenama syarikat itu mungkin akan dipotong. Walaupun beliau dipuji kerana visinya, tempoh kepimpinannya diwarnai dengan pertembungan dengan pihak berkepentingan, termasuk kesatuan pekerja dan kerajaan Itali.

Stellantis kini menghadapi cabaran besar dalam menangani ketidakpastian kepimpinan dan memperbaiki prestasi operasi dan pasaran. Pemegang saham utama seperti keluarga Agnelli, keluarga Peugeot, dan kerajaan Perancis menekankan perlunya “idea baharu dan kuasa baharu” untuk membentuk masa depan syarikat.

Konteks Industri

Perjuangan Stellantis berbeza dengan pencapaian pesaing seperti General Motors, yang mencatatkan kenaikan keuntungan saham sebanyak 55% pada tahun 2024. Kerjasama Stellantis dengan Rivian dan usaha mereka untuk beralih kepada teknologi yang lebih bertenaga dijangka menjadi fokus utama di bawah kepimpinan baharu.

John Elkann mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Tavares atas sumbangannya kepada penciptaan Stellantis, tetapi peletakan jawatan secara tiba-tiba ini menyoroti cabaran yang lebih besar yang dihadapi oleh pembuat kereta warisan dalam pasaran global yang semakin berubah.

Leadership Transition and Interim Measures

According to Reuters, the Stellantis board, chaired by John Elkann, has accepted Tavares’ resignation “with immediate effect.” Elkann will lead an interim executive committee while the company seeks a new CEO, a process expected to conclude in the first half of 2025. Senior Independent Director Henri de Castries noted that differing strategic views between Tavares, major shareholders, and the board led to the resignation.

Profit Warning and Operational Struggles

In September, Stellantis issued a profit warning, citing a projected cash burn of up to €10 billion ($10.6 billion) due to sluggish North American sales and high inventory levels. Sales in the U.S. dropped 17% year-over-year in the third quarter, with brands like Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler underperforming. Inventory issues were pronounced, with some models, such as the Ram 1500 pickup and Jeep Wagoneer, significantly exceeding average supply levels compared to competitors.

The profit warning prompted a management reshuffle, affecting key roles in finance and North American operations, though Tavares initially retained his position. However, tensions reportedly escalated as the board viewed Tavares’ strategies as overly focused on short-term solutions rather than long-term company interests.

Dealer and Union Discontent

Dealers and unions have voiced growing frustration over the past year. Jeff Laethem, a Stellantis dealer in Detroit, expressed relief at the leadership change, citing difficulty selling even 2023 models. Meanwhile, UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Tavares’ tenure, citing layoffs and unsold vehicles, adding that “Tavares is leaving behind a mess.”

In the U.S., the automaker faced threats of a nationwide strike from the United Auto Workers union, which accused Stellantis of failing to meet labor agreement commitments.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Since the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group to form Stellantis in 2021, Tavares had warned underperforming brands within the company’s 14-brand portfolio were at risk of being cut. While he was praised for his vision, his tenure was marked by clashes with stakeholders, including labor unions and the Italian government.

Stellantis now faces the dual challenge of navigating leadership uncertainty and addressing its operational and market struggles. Shareholders, including the Agnelli family, the Peugeot family, and the French government, emphasized the need for “new ideas and fresh forces” to shape the company’s future.

Industry Context

Stellantis’ struggles contrast sharply with competitors like General Motors, which saw a 55% stock gain in 2024. The company’s collaboration with Rivian and efforts to transition to a more electrified lineup will likely be a central focus under new leadership.

Elkann thanked Tavares for his contributions to the creation of Stellantis, but the CEO’s sudden resignation underscores the broader challenges facing legacy automakers in an evolving global market.