Alexandre
The departure of Carlos Tavares, last Decemberopened a period of speculation regarding his successor at the head of Stellantis. While many names are being bandied about, one Italian now seems to stand out from the crowd: Antonio Filosa. The 50-year-old, with his impressive track record, embodies a model of Italian success that could well meet the challenges facing the Franco-Italian-American group.
An international career
Born in Naples and raised in the "Città Bianca" of Ostuni, Antonio Filosa was quick to make a name for himself. With a passion for numbers and a degree from Milan's Politecnico, he quickly rose through the ranks of the Fiat Groupbefore the latter merged with PSA to create Stellantis. In 1999, he began his career in Latin America, where he held a number of strategic positions, including management of the Betim plant in Brazil. He quickly became a key player, revitalizing Fiat in this market, thanks in particular to exceptional performances in terms of market share and profitability.
His rise doesn't stop there. Filosa takes over Alfa Romeo and Maserati for Latin Americabefore managing all the Group's activities on the continent. This success has attracted the attention of Stellantis management. His key role in the expansion and consolidation of these brands in the region only strengthens his stature within the Group.
A visit to the United States
In 2023, Filosa is appointed head of JeepJeep is a strategic brand for Stellantis, and not by chance. Jeep is the group's most profitable brand, with a solid presence on every continent. In October 2024, he also takes over the reins of Stellantis' entire North American market.. Filosa, was entrusted with the mission of turning things around, in particular by lowering prices to sell off surplus stocks.
Not just a manager, Filosa is a charismatic leader. As one of his colleagues describes him: "He's a star over there". It's not just a question of professional success, but also of popularity within the Stellantis Group, where he is perceived as a man capable of overcoming difficulties, as evidenced by his management in Latin America and then North America.
People skills and a comprehensive knowledge of the automotive market
But beyond his professional successes, it's also his team spirit that puts him among the most serious candidates to succeed Carlos Tavares. Very close to the former CEO, Filosa also admits that he learned a lot from him. Filosa is a man of experience, attentive to the subtleties of European and American marketsBut he's also passionate about the automotive industry. That's why he's one of the favourites to succeed Tavares.
That would be a good choice. He's a good manager, understands market trends quickly and isn't stubborn like Tavares.
But personally I think that today we need a dyarchy at the head of groups like Stellantis.
The Elkann/Filosa pairing would be perfect.
Totally agree with you, and return the engines,