With the Paris Motor Show in full swing since October 12, Antonio Filosa, CEO of Stellantis, gave a lengthy interview to the newspaper a few days ago Le Parisien. This was an opportunity for the Italian executive to reflect on the group’s difficulties, but above all to apologize to the many drivers affected by the issues with the 1.2L PureTech engines and Takata airbags. His remarks signal a desire to turn the page on the Carlos Tavares era.
Antonio Filosa acknowledges the problems customers have encountered
For several years now, Stellantis has been grappling with a major crisis of confidence. Mechanical issues with the 1.2L PureTech engines, compounded by the Takata airbag scandal, have tarnished the image of several of the group’s brands, notably Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel.
When asked by *Le Parisien* about the frustration of customers who had experienced these issues, Antonio Filosa did not try to dodge the subject. Carlos Tavares’s successor made a point of sending them a clear message. «First of all, I would like to offer them our apologies for the past problems they have encountered.»
This is an important statement from the CEO of Stellantis, as many owners are still waiting for concrete answers to the issues they’ve encountered with their vehicles. But beyond the apologies, Antonio Filosa wants above all to convince people that the automaker has changed its approach and now makes quality a priority.
About 100 teams mobilized to improve quality
To restore confidence, Stellantis says it has undertaken significant efforts to improve the reliability of its vehicles. Antonio Filosa announced an improvement in quality of approximately 30 % since the beginning of 2026, though he did not specify the metrics used.
In particular, the group has set up about 100 «quality war rooms»—teams dedicated to resolving quality issues. Located in Europe—particularly in France and Italy—as well as in North America, these teams bring together engineers, suppliers, and plant representatives on a daily basis.
The goal is to detect malfunctions more quickly and prevent problems encountered in the past from recurring. «We will continue to improve—I promise,» says Antonio Filosa. The challenge now is to turn these commitments into tangible results for drivers, especially those who have lost confidence in the group’s brands.
Stellantis Wants to Move On from Carlos Tavares
Having taken over as CEO in 2025, Antonio Filosa also intends to break with some of his predecessor’s policies. Without directly criticizing Carlos Tavares, the Italian executive now favors a strategy that is more focused on products, quality, and affordability.
In particular, Stellantis has agreed to temporarily reduce its profit margins to offer more affordable vehicles and win back customers. At the Paris Motor Show, this new direction is reflected in the unveiling of a new electric Citroën 2CV, priced at around 15,000 euros. The group also plans to invest 60 billion euros in 60 new products as part of its Fast Lane 2030 plan.
For Antonio Filosa, the challenge is therefore twofold: to attract new buyers while regaining the trust of existing ones. And for Stellantis, the real key to winning back customers will now lie in the reliability of its upcoming cars and the solutions it provides to customers who have already been affected.
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