Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares to Retire in 2026

Stellantis has announced that CEO Carlos Tavares will retire in early 2026. The company indicated that this transition is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations in an increasingly complex global environment.

Tavares, who has led Stellantis since its formation through the 2021 merger of Peugeot-Citroën and Fiat-Chrysler, has been instrumental in guiding the company through several market challenges and restructuring efforts. The early announcement of Tavares' retirement appears to be an effort to ensure a smooth leadership transition and allow sufficient time to select his successor. According to Stellantis, the process of identifying the next CEO has already begun.

In addition to Tavares' planned retirement, Stellantis announced other immediate changes to its executive leadership team. Doug Ostermann, previously the company’s Chief Operating Officer for its China operations, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. He replaces Nathalie Knight, who is leaving the company. Stellantis did not provide specific details regarding Knight’s departure.

“Stellantis is focusing on simplifying and improving the performance of its organization" in response to ongoing turbulence in the global automotive industry,” the company stated.

The automotive industry is currently grappling with a variety of issues, including supply chain disruptions, regulatory pressures to meet emissions targets, and shifting consumer preferences towards electric vehicles. Stellantis, like other major automakers, is adjusting its strategy to address these changes while maintaining profitability.

Stellantis operates multiple well-known brands, including Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Fiat, and Citroën.