Optimism Among Stellantis Dealers
As New Orleans experienced an unusual blast of snowfall, Stellantis dealers gathered in the city for a pivotal meeting, leaving many attendees inspired and hopeful about what’s ahead for the year.
Normally, such gatherings come with a side of caution, reminiscing over challenges faced in the past.
However, this gathering felt notably uplifting for Stellantis dealerships after a tough previous year.
One dealer principal openly shared that the event far surpassed their expectations, an uncommon endorsement for corporate leadership.
Engagement and Acknowledgment
During the event, Stellantis executives took the time to genuinely acknowledge around 2,600 dealers, addressing key grievances concerning pricing, incentives, and inconsistent working practices that had previously sown frustration.
This dialogue seemed to symbolize a substantial step forward in mending the relationship between Stellantis leadership and its dealers.
A large part of the friction stemmed from the tenure of former CEO Carlos Tavares, who left in late 2024, despite earlier commitments to stay until 2026.
His departure seems to have been well-received by the dealer community, particularly as major decisions had often been dictated by executives in Europe who may not have had a deep understanding of North American dynamics.
With Tavares gone, the new North American Chief Operating Officer, Antonio Filosa, is finding fresh opportunities to engage in constructive collaboration with dealers, moving away from a previously rigid top-down model.
The return of Tim Kuniskis to head up Ram has further fueled optimism in the ranks.
Kuniskis has shown a keen interest in concentrating on product development rather than shouldering broader corporate duties.
Looking Forward
On the product side of things, the recent announcement of a shift in the Jeep Recon SUV launch date to later in the year caught some attention.
Previously slated to commence production next month in Toluca, the details around the Recon’s debut are still evolving.
We’ll keep an eye on this as it develops.
The atmosphere of excitement and open dialogue observable in New Orleans indicates a significant change for Stellantis dealers.
This newfound momentum paves the way for a more promising future, as they band together to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.