Latest news with #Stellantis'
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Why Stellantis' New European Design Chief Matters for Future Cars
Gilles Vidal, the former vice president of design at Renault Group, was named by Stellantis on Friday as the company's new head of design for its European brands, effective October 1. He replaces Jean-Pierre Ploué, who is departing the firm. Vidal will be in charge of the creative design approach for Stellantis' well-known European brands, which range from light commercial vehicles to city automobiles. "Gilles will build on the outstanding work carried out by Jean-Pierre Ploué, whom I salute for contributing to the revival and development of many of our brands and products," said Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Chief Design Officer, to whom Vidal will report. Other executives offered equally effusive opinions about Vidal. "His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-thinking design philosophy will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands," said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Europe Chief Operating Officer at Stellantis. The hiring of Vidal coincides with a pivotal moment for Stellantis, which is attempting to rebound under new CEO Antonio Filosa. In its key markets, including Europe, demand remains sluggish, and Chinese competitors, led by BYD, are gaining ground. This week's unexpected first-half net deficit of €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) highlights the difficulty Stellantis faces. For Vidal, the appointment is a homecoming. Joining Groupe PSA in 1996, he played a key role in creating some of the most celebrated car designs. Between 2015 and 2019, he oversaw the design of many Peugeot models, including the Peugeot 308, 3008, and 208, which were all named European Cars of the Year. After 25 years designing vehicles for Citroën and Peugeot, Vidal left PSA in 2020, joining Renault to guide its design as well as that of Renault's electric-vehicle brand, Ampere. There, his designs for the Renault Scenic and Renault 5 also garnered European Cars of the Year awards. He also oversaw the design of Renault's electric-vehicle brand, Ampere. In fact, half of Vidal's 10 career awards have been European Car of the Year. Vidal will work closely with Gilles, who will report to Imparato. "I am enthusiastic to return to my roots. In a world where technology and design should walk hand in hand to transform customer experience, I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Gilles Vidal said. "I look forward to tackling them by working closely with Jean-Philippe, Ralph, and their teams." Vidal's appointment should help strengthen the beleaguered automaker following Carlos Tavares' resignation as Stellantis CEO on December 1, 2024. His departure brought about the resignation of some of his loyal lieutenants as well, including Stellantis' Chief Software Officer Yves Bonnefont, Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson, and CFO Richard Palmer. As a result, refilling Stellantis' executive ranks is crucial. The ability of Stellantis' new CEO, Antonio Filosa, to attract top talent is important. In America, Filosa, formerly CEO of Stellantis North America, brought back Tim Kuniskis as Ram CEO following a six-month retirement before quickly promoting him to oversee all of Stellantis NV's American brands, marketing, and retail strategies. Vidal's departure from Renault weakens a company that has seen its top ranks empty out, as Renault CEO Luca de Meo, Chief Financial Officer Thierry Pieton, and Executive Vice President of Engineering Gilles Le Borgne have all recently left the company. Stellantis's Filosa knows the challenges the company faces in Europe and is willing to attract the needed talent to revive the company's continental brands. As the company faces rising sales of Chinese vehicles, U.S. import tariffs, and an ever-quickening pace of EV adoption in Europe through government regulation, the hiring of Vidal is a crucial and cunning move. "We are thrilled to welcome Gilles back to this key role. His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-thinking design philosophy will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands," Imparato said. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Stellantis warns of $1.7 billion US tariff impact in 2025
Stellantis said on Tuesday it faced greater headwinds this year including a 1.5-billion-euro impact from US tariffs for 2025, with operating income in the second half set to be in the low-single digits following a tough first half. Forecasts for the second half were based on tariff rules effective Tuesday, and the overall 2025 tariff impact included 300 million euros incurred in the first half, the automaker said. The 1.5-billion-euro ($1.73 billion) tariff impact was at the higher end of a forecast range of 1.0-1.5 billion euros the company provided last week when it released preliminary figures for the first half, which were broadly confirmed on Tuesday. Stellantis' other challenges this year include foreign exchange fluctuations, while greater Chinese competition and potential fines linked to EU carbon regulation loom in the background. Shares fell 2.3 per cent in morning trading, the biggest decliner among blue chip stocks in Milan, after earlier sinking as much as 4.8 per cent . Analysts at Jefferies said Stellantis' second-half guidance was vague with scant details, while those at Bernstein said in a note, "The lack of precision undermined the stock." Stellantis forecast higher net revenue and improved industrial free cash flow in the second half compared with the first, when it burned cash for 3 billion euros. "Our new leadership team, while realistic about the challenges, will continue making the tough decisions needed to re-establish profitable growth and significantly improved results," new CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement. The company veteran was appointed in May after former boss Carlos Tavares was ousted in December following a disastrous 2024 performance in the crucial US market. Filosa, who will reign over a portfolio of 15 brands globally, will have to revamp product ranges and regain market share and investor confidence. He was set to make his first official appearance as CEO in a results call later in the day. Challenges ahead Stellantis in April withdrew its guidance for a moderate recovery this year after a profit drop in 2024, citing an evolving trade scenario and uncertain impact of US tariffs. On Sunday, the United States and the European Union struck a framework trade agreement, imposing a 15 per cent US import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate. Stellantis, however, is mostly exposed to 25 per cent tariffs US President Donald Trump imposed on Mexico and Canada, on top of an existing 2.5 per cent tariff, with more than 40 per cent of the 1.2 million vehicles it sold last year in the US being imports from these two countries. For the first half, the maker of car brands including Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Ram posted a 13 per cent drop in net revenue to 74.3 billion euros, an adjusted operating income margin of 0.7 per cent , and a net loss of 2.3 billion euros. Net revenue in North America, historically Stellantis' largest and most profitable market, was just over 28 billion euros in the first half and below Europe's 29.2 billion euros in the same period.
Ya Biladi
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Ya Biladi
Stellantis unveils FIAT TRIS, the three-wheeled electric vehicle manufactured in Morocco
The fully electric FIAT TRIS will be manufactured in Morocco by Stellantis, adhering to international safety standards. Announced jointly by the Moroccan government and the automaker, the project targets the professional mobility needs of urban and peri-urban areas. The vehicle will be produced at Stellantis' Kenitra plant, with a projected annual capacity of 65,000 units and potential for export across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, according to a statement received by Yabiladi. The new model represents a next generation of compact, sustainable, and affordable vehicles. Following the successful launches of the Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks-e, and Fiat Topolino micromobility models, Stellantis is now expanding its lineup with the FIAT TRIS. «FIAT TRIS democratizes access to professional mobility for millions of workers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, establishing itself as a catalyst for economic and social opportunities across the continent», said Samir Cherfan, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis Middle East and Africa. Production officially began in July 2025 at the Kenitra plant, boosting the site's total micromobility output to 135,000 units per year. The project also draws on the expertise of the Stellantis Automotive Technical Center (ATC) in Casablanca, which employs more than 4,000 engineers and senior technicians. The initiative reinforces Morocco's position as a regional hub for sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions, backed by a mature and growing industrial ecosystem.
Motor 1
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Here's Why This Peugeot 208 Has Four Skinny Wheels
Seeing a skinny tire on a car isn't that unusual. In most cases, it's mounted on a space-saving spare wheel while the other three have full-size tires. But things get really weird when all four wheels look like that. A Peugeot 208 was recently spotted in a parking lot in Marseille, sitting on what appeared to be four spare wheels. However, the supermini was actually equipped with something called a 'universal wheel,' sold by French company Enovcar. As odd as it looks, there's a perfectly good reason this product exists. It's designed for repair shops to move otherwise immobilized cars. If the brakes are stuck or the transmission fails, how do you move the car? Another use case is when the owner wants to refurbish the original wheels. It's also handy for electric vehicles with completely dead batteries. Although Peugeot sells the 208 as an EV, this particular subcompact hatchback has Stellantis' ubiquitous three-cylinder gas engine. Photo by: parkedinmarseille The 'universal wheel' attaches via an interchangeable hub secured with 10 bolts. It works on vehicles with either four lug nuts, like this Peugeot, or with five. Enovcar warns that cars shouldn't be moved at speeds above 5 mph (8 km/h). There's also a spinner mode so that the wheel spins freely in any direction. It involves adding a rotating ring to facilitate turning, parking, or rotating the car in place. However, it only works at speeds under 2 mph (3 km/h). Switching between roller and spinner modes takes about 30 seconds. Another limitation is the weight: the maximum load per wheel is 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms), and the wheel itself weighs 22 pounds (10 kilograms). Enovcar isn't the only company selling this type of product. Our colleagues at The Autopian recently covered the Guni Wheel X, marketed as a 'universal automotive repositioning' solution. It's also designed to transport vehicles with damaged wheels, brakes, or transmissions. The company selling them claims they're also a good solution for long-term storage, preserving the original wheels when the car won't be driven for an extended period. Peugeot 208 with universal wheels 8 Source: parkedinmarseille Source: parkedinmarseille / Instagram Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Stellantis and 4screen Enhance In-Car Convenience with Real-Time, Location-Based Mobility Services
Stellantis and 4screen Enhance In-Car Conveniencewith Real-Time, Location-Based Mobility Services 4screen platform brings real-time, location-based content into Stellantis vehicles across North America and Europe Customers can explore nearby locations such as restaurants, convenience stores, parking, gas and charging stations, and Stellantis brand dealerships – directly from the infotainment screen Results are personalized and contextual, with the option to filter and display only the most relevant points of interest (POIs) based on each journey First eligible vehicles have begun receiving the service, with a broader rollout across multiple brands and markets underway The experience will continue to expand as more businesses join 4screen's growing partner network AMSTERDAM and MUNICH – July 24, 2025 – Stellantis, one of the world's leading automakers, and 4screen, the pioneering driver interaction platform, today announced a partnership to bring real-time, location-based digital services into Stellantis' portfolio of iconic vehicle brands. This collaboration will deliver a more convenient, intuitive in-car experience to Stellantis customers across key markets in Europe and North America. The 4screen platform will be available in select FIAT, Jeep®, and Ram models equipped with Uconnect® 4 or Uconnect® 5 systems. It enables drivers to access nearby services, offers and points of interest directly from the infotainment system. Additional Stellantis brands will follow as the deployment expands. Driving Value for Customers on the Move This collaboration introduces a seamless way for drivers to stay informed and make more efficient decisions during their journey, whether they are looking for a quick stop at a restaurant, a nearby convenience store, a gas or charging station, parking, a car wash, or a Stellantis brand dealership. The platform is designed to prioritize convenience while respecting customer preferences, without distracting from the drive. Points of interest are filtered based on location and context, and drivers can define what types of places are relevant to them on each trip. The 4screen platform helps drivers discover nearby businesses and services directly on the vehicle's navigation map. Results are tailored to the driver's location and needs, with useful information like opening hours, contact details, and amenities – plus instant access to in-car special offers and promotions that can be redeemed on the go. Non-Intrusive Design. Integrated with Safety in Mind. Unlike third-party apps, the 4screen service is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle infotainment interface. Relevant content is presented contextually and responsibly, without creating distractions or overwhelming the driver. 'We are focused on delivering connected technology that brings meaningful value to our customers,' said Cristiani Campos, Stellantis Senior Vice President, Software Business Unit. 'Partnering with 4screen helps us give drivers relevant, helpful content on their terms, when and where they need it.' 'Our platform turns the in-car screen into a smart mobility companion,' said Fabian Beste, CEO and Co-Founder of 4screen. 'We're proud to work with Stellantis to offer this enhanced experience across multiple brands and regions.' Stellantis customers may already see these improvements in vehicles as the service is progressively rolling out through over-the-air updates. # # #Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. For more information, visit @Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis For more information, contact:Fernão SILVEIRA +31 6 43 25 43 41 – ROUSSEL +33 6 87 77 41 82 – About 4screen4screen is the world's first platform that connects drivers seamlessly with their surroundings, providing real-time access to a wide range of services and recommendations. By working within the car's digital interface, 4screen leverages unique vehicle data points to enhance the mobility experience and connect drivers with the most relevant businesses and destinations possible - All while complying fully with the highest safety and privacy regulations. For more information, please visit 4screen ist die weltweit erste Plattform, die Autofahrende in Echtzeit nahtlos mit ihrer Umgebung verbindet – und ihnen so direkten Zugang zu relevanten Services und Empfehlungen über das Fahrzeugdisplay bietet. Durch die Integration in die native digitale Benutzeroberfläche des Fahrzeugs nutzt 4screen dynamische Fahrzeugdaten, um das Mobilitätserlebnis gezielt zu verbessern und kontextbezogene Inhalte bereitzustellen – selbstverständlich unter vollständiger Einhaltung höchster Sicherheits- und Datenschutzstandards. Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter: 4screen For more information, contact: 4screen Media Team – press@ Attachment EN-20250724-Stellantis-partners-with-4screen
