Barely back home Stellantis, Gilles Vidal is already setting the tone. In a lengthy interview with British magazine Coach, the Group's new Director of European Design spoke of his vision for the ten brands for which he is now responsible... as well as the timetable for the first models that will truly bear his signature. And clearly, it won't be long now.
A return to Stellantis that changes many things
After several remarkable years at Renault, where he helped bring iconic models such as the Renault 5 and Twingo back to favor, Gilles Vidal has returned to Stellantis with a huge mission: to restore a strong identity to each of the Group's European brands.
In his interview, the French designer makes no secret of his ambition. According to him, the automotive industry is going through «the biggest revolution in centuries», between electrification, artificial intelligence and new design methods. Stellantis can no longer afford to produce cars that are too close together.
His comments are directly in line with his previous statements on Alfa Romeo. A few weeks ago, Gilles Vidal explained that he wanted to preserve a brand that was « thought for the driver »This philosophy was intended to enable Alfa Romeo to retain its DNA, even in the electric age. One of the aims of this philosophy was to enable Alfa Romeo to retain its DNA, even in the electric age. But this time, the designer goes one step further.
«Lots to show» at the Paris Motor Show
Asked by Autocar about his early work at Stellantis, Gilles Vidal hinted that several projects were already at an advanced stage of preparation. And above all, that they could be unveiled very soon. The Design Director points directly to the Paris Motor Show, scheduled for October 2026, as an important deadline: he hopes to have «a lot of things to show» there.
This statement is far from insignificant. Even though Vidal has only just taken up his post, it means that several concepts, restylings and stylistic directions are already being finalized within the Group's various brands. As a reminder, Gilles Vidal now oversees the design of Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Opel/Vauxhall, under the direction of global design boss Ralph Gilles and European director Emmanuel Cappellano.
The end of «clones» at Stellantis?
One of the most interesting points in this interview concerns brand differentiation. Gilles Vidal believes that Stellantis must avoid producing cars that are too similar. According to him, a customer doesn't buy «a Stellantis», but an Alfa Romeo, a Fiat or a Peugeot. Each manufacturer must therefore find an immediately identifiable personality, in terms of both styling and driving experience.
The designer also seems to confirm a change in philosophy since the arrival of Antonio Filosa at the head of the group. Gilles Vidal explains that the new leader is much more open to product diversity and brand identities, in contrast to a period when certain creative freedoms were more limited. A detail that could have a significant impact on the future of brands such as Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, whose future models will be particularly eagerly awaited.
Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat... what can we expect?
Although Gilles Vidal remains deliberately discreet about future models, several clues emerge from his speech. In particular, he insists on the importance of creating cars that are emotional and immediately recognizable. This could mean bolder designs, but also a different approach to interiors, with more physical controls and a more immersive experience.
For Alfa Romeo, this once again confirms the desire to preserve a strong sporting identity, even on electrified models. For Lancia, in the midst of a renaissance, the task of differentiation will be just as crucial. As for Fiat, Vidal directly cites the success of the 500 as an example of a car capable of rapidly multiplying versions and personalities without losing its identity.
It now remains to be seen what the designer's first concrete creations will be. The answer, obviously, is just a few months away at the Paris Motor Show.
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We're hearing all kinds of things: handing over factories to Chinese manufacturers, too many brands and major financial problems.
May .
Keeping all brands and differentiating them requires major investments, preservation of production tools and research and innovation.
Tomorrow we'll be told otherwise
One does not preclude the other. You can make a Chinese Opel, Jeep or Alfa Romeo with a design supervised in Europe. If I take the example of the Lancia Ypsilon, based on a Peugeot 208, produced in Spain, a project piloted from Turin. And the sale of factories to BYD, for example, doesn't prevent this either.
«As a reminder, Gilles Vidal now oversees design for Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Opel/Vauxhall, reporting to global design boss Ralph Gilles and European director Jean-Philippe Imparato.»
Quite frankly, his presence in this position bothers him a great deal. We're talking about Tavares' closest right-hand man, who put the group in this position. At Alfa Romeo, all he did was squander the brand's image (Junior) and show that he doesn't understand the principle of exclusivity (Veloce in diesel 160. saw one again yesterday)...
If Junior hadn't come out, Alfa Romeo would have disappeared! When Stellantis was born, the Alfa Romeo Product Plan inherited from FCA included only Tonale, due to a lack of funds. And I indirectly contributed to «Project Baby» - before the creation of Stellantis in January 2021 ... - by providing my future R&D colleagues in Turin with decommissioned DS3 Crossback mules well ahead of schedule, so that they could quickly develop the quartet 600 / Avenger / Junior / Ypsilon (commercially vital) on electrified platforms that didn't exist on the other side of the Alps.
Thank you for this very pertinent feedback. I think with hindsight that until the death of marchionne in 2018, FCA was investing in electrification then after they quickly looked for a partner (renault then psa) and stopped all r&d. The Tonale is a good example of how the Jeep Compass technology has been taken over, and it's clear that by 2026 it's outdated compared with the competition.
Small correction: Jean-Philippe Imparato is no longer the boss of Stellantis Europe, having handed over to Emmanuele Cappelano in order to refocus on Stellantis and You (Stellantis' own distribution network) and the Maserati brand!
Thank you, it's been corrected!