Stellantis reshuffles leadership to boost North American sales

In North America, Stellantis, the world's fourth largest automaker, is undergoing significant leadership changes as it faces challenges in reviving sales. CEO Carlos Tavares, who has been criticized for the company's poor financial performance, will step down in early 2026, with a search for his successor already underway. The company is also replacing Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight with Doug Ostermann, currently the chief operating officer in China. These changes come amid efforts to cut costs and improve operations, particularly in the U.S. market, where Stellantis has struggled with high inventory levels and increased competition from Chinese automakers. The company has announced plans to reduce dealer inventory to 300,000 vehicles by the end of the year, a shift from its previous timeline of early 2025. Stellantis's recent earnings forecast was slashed, highlighting the need for larger investments to turn around its U.S. operations. The leadership changes are part of a broader strategy to address these challenges and enhance the company's performance in a competitive automotive landscape.