The shaking continues in the organizational chart of Stellantis. After the appointment of Antonio Filosa at the head of the Group in June 2025, one European leader after another has fallen. This time, it's Luca Napolitano, an emblematic figure in the renaissance of Lanciawho loses his position as CEO of the Italian brand.
From spearhead to outpost
Since the creation of Stellantis in 2021, Luca Napolitano has embodied Lancia's relaunch. Under his leadership, the Italian brand, thought by many to be doomed, has undergone a facelift: a new logo, a premium repositioning, and above all, the express launch of the new Ypsilon, the first model in a trilogy intended to resurrect Lancia in Europe.
But according to the official press release issued on November 7, 2025, Napolitano has now been appointed Head of Stellantis & You - Sales & Services, a more cross-functional position reporting to Jean-Philippe Imparato. An elegant way of dismissing him without saying so? No special thanks were expressed for the man who kept the Lancia flame burning for almost four years.
A chain of reorganization
The move is not an isolated one. For several months now, Stellantis has been undergoing an in-depth reorganization of its European brands.
- Jean-Philippe Imparato, after managing Alfa Romeo and then Stellantis Europe, is now at the helm of Maserati.
- Santo Ficili, retains management of Alfa Romeoconfirming his stability at the helm of the Biscione brand.
- Emanuele Capellano has taken over the management of Stellantis Enlarged Europe and now oversees all regional brands.
Roberta Zerbi succeeds Napolitano at the helm of Lancia. She is already well known to the Group, having previously headed Stellantis & You - Sales & Services. Ironically, it is she who replaces Napolitano, while the latter takes over... his old job.
Lancia in a fragile state again?
Behind all this leadership, one question stands out: what's to become of Lancia? Today, the brand has just one model on the market, the Ypsilon, sold almost exclusively in Italy. According to our information, the future Gamma is still scheduled for 2026. But this sudden change of direction casts a shadow over the relaunch. Without its historic captain, will the course be maintained? The timing is questionable.
Officially, Stellantis speaks of a "customer-centric" organization and a desire to "unleash the full potential of the European range". Behind the scenes, however, it's hard not to see a recomposition of internal balances, to the benefit of certain brands deemed more profitable.
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Of course the brand isn't in danger! Read the press release!! "In her new role, Roberta will continue to drive the brand's development, building on the recent launch of the Ypsilon and preparing for the introduction of two all-new models in the coming years.
Bof . How can we believe that Lancia can be reborn? I'm an ex-Lancini fan, but we have to be realistic, because how can we relaunch a brand with a Ypsilon cobbled together from a 208 at the end of its career and a Gamma derived from a DS8 that's already a flop...
At the risk of repeating myself over the months, it won't be a DS8.
I'd say maybe a DS 7.5
No need to repeat... it's going to be called Gamma, the worst name for a Lancia given the history of the previous big sedan, and on top of that it's going to cost over 50,000 euros. In short, who's going to buy it? Me, as a former Lancia, certainly not. German panzer originals? maybe ... but there won't be many of them. In short, not profitable.
I'm sorry, but relaunching Lancia without the "too much money" aspect like MG (so Chinese) is just not possible. Stellantis screws up everything and it doesn't seem to stop.
How is the Ypsilon based on a 208?
The base is a 208 ... What's really better in 2025?
The front, the rear, the TdB, the settings are all different and Italian.
Would a Punto base have been better?
Where I would agree.
A single model can't keep a brand afloat, and 2 other models were at least in the pipeline!
any news?
Who let the brand rot before in the low-cost!? For an eternity!?
the DS N° 8 begins its career!
Hans, are you Madame Soleil's son?
The DS n°8 is just beginning its career, offers no headroom for rear passengers, and is already behind the times in terms of fast charging and infotainment (although it should be noted that the CLA is being launched at the same time in a lower range). The new Yspilon takes too much from the 208, which isn't a bad car, but it doesn't match its premium positioning.
The 208 will be replaced at the end of 2026! So the Lancia will already be old before its time.
And no for knowing the 208 well and having gone to see this Lancia (ex lanciste one remains curious), I do not see well what there is better. Not even the 145hp engine! And the finish, which imposes an interior color, doesn't look premium like. It's nicely different in terms of presentation, but no better for me. So zero interest.
Not all versions of the Ypsilon are yet on the market.
Well, on her own, it'll be hard for her anyway.
With almost nothing, it's hard to bring in customers.
When I see the new R5, the new Twingo, and across the street I see Peugeot bringing out an over-engineered Ypsilon 208, I think it's high time they got their act together at Stellantis...
You shouldn't criticize everything. I rented the Lancia Ypsilon Ibrida for several days, and found it to be a great car, with a top-quality finish and luxurious materials.
It's a pleasure to drive, even with the smallest engine.
As far as France is concerned, it lacks a network, with very few sales outlets.
We also need more powertrains, as the range of engines on offer is very limited.
To drive the Ypsilon is to be convinced, if it's based on the 208, it's a hell of a lot better.
Potté, it's a matter of taste and color, no argument there.
The design is Italian and recalls the gimmicks of historic Lancia.
You obviously don't like it?
Lo dirigo io la lancia incapaci
Lasciamo decidere ai cinesi perché saranno loro a fare questo, non la Stellatis.🤔
Frenetically changing people won't improve products, and that's the problem. I'm convinced that brand managers like Napolitano only have decision-making power over form and marketing, never over technical solutions.
Welcome to the automotive industry, a world in which the money you have to invest to produce a model in mass production represents a significant proportion of the cost price. The possibility of using the ex-PSA CMP platform has enabled us to limit investment in what is not visible, and to offer a car that highlights the specific features associated with Lancia: style and luxury. If the current Lancia Ypsilon looks too much like a 208, what can you say about the Nissan Micra compared to an R5?
While it's not crazy to build on the 208's good platform, you have to bring something better to the table when you claim to be a premium car, such as "by wire" braking for consistent performance, the one-pedal drive seen on the 500 but refined, the standard planner (!), a 200 hp electric motor (it's more efficient), specific buttons and infotainment, and sheathed door panels. And above all, when you're out to conquer a new market, you're aggressive on price, to the detriment of short-term profitability.
Leadership change only matters if it improves product and marketing. It requires a desire for Lancia to thrive - not just barely survive.
Large discounts on Ypsilon show Lancia/Stellantis completely misunderstood the market. It has potential but not at a price that is out of reach for past customers or people wanting a small, city car.
They've failed on the product. The standard hybrid model doesn't have the performance people would expect from a Lancia, while the EV model has small range.
The marketing is non-existent, Lancia feels invisible. It's hard to sell cars if people don't know them.
The Ypsilon is another Stellantis failure. It stands little chance against the Chinese competition. Keeping the brand under oxygen makes no sense now that Alfa Romeo and Maserati are on the scene, satisfying customers who once loved Lancia.
Maserati is clearly repositioned in the luxury segment, Alfa is supposed to embody sport, there's a place for Italian premium. But we have to give ourselves the means to do so.
If the sport is the Junior Ibrida, for example, it's a very pushy sport. I've had it for hire, and it's a swing to drive peacefully (absolutely nothing to do with the sharp, sporty model that is the Junior Veloce).
But the Junior is selling quite well, proving that new buyers are not attached to what should be Alfa Romeo.
Se non sbaglio la Stellatis ormai è cinese 🤔
Sì, e "la Melone" è un frutto.
Si, si è sbagliato. Ò allora John Elkann è cinese.
Lancia moet zich ontdoen van het Calimero-syndroom. Net als heel Stellantis overigens. Wat nieuwe Chinese merken kunnen, moet Stellantis zeker ook kunnen. Als je maar niet doet wat je deed want dan krijg je wat je kreeg.
Was das Sherholdervalue denken hinterlassen hat ist sehr schlimm. Fahrzeugmarken identitäten dürfen nicht verwässert werden. Wer kauft schon ein Lancia mit Citroen/ Peugeot Genen?