Could Chrysler Become All-American Again? Its Old CEO Thinks It Might Happen
Carlos Tavares thinks his old company’s days may be numbered.
The former Stellantis CEO told Automotive News that he believes it is possible that the multinational company that includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram is ripe to get ripped apart.
Stellantis was formed in 2021 between the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group (which included Peugeot and Citroen) and brought more than a dozen brands under its umbrella, which is technically based in The Netherlands.
Chrysler was the parent corporation for the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands before the 2014 Fiat-Chrysler merger.
“I am worried that the three-way balance between Italy, France, and the US. will break. The group’s survival as a standalone company will depend on management paying attention to unity every day,” Tavares told the outlet.
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Tavares resigned in December 2024 as the automaker’s efforts to rapidly electrify began to take its toll as not all EV markets were developing as quickly as expected. Many vehicle plans have been adjusted or discontinued since then, particularly in the U.S. where its brands have taken a big swing back toward internal combustion engine models under Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa and the head of its American brands, Tim Kuniskis.
“One possible scenario, and there are many others, could be a Chinese manufacturer one day making a bid for the Europe business, with the Americans taking back the North America operations. This would allow each to refocus on their own markets, much like General Motors has done over the past 10 years,” Tavares said.
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“I am worried that the three-way balance between Italy, France, and the US. will break. The group’s survival as a standalone company will depend on management paying attention to unity every day.”
Stellantis has not commented on the Tavares interview or made any indication that it is considering a breakup.