The merger of Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA Group into new automotive giant Stellantis will not lead to the death of any brands in the United States. In his first press conference, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said all 14 of the company’s brands will survive.
Analysts had widely expected that Chrysler, which currently sells just the Pacifica and Voyager minivans and the aging 300 sedan, would be shuttered after nearly 100 years. The Dodge and Fiat brands were also rumored to be on the chopping block. The Alfa Romeo luxury brand continues to struggle to make a significant dent in the U.S. market. Some analysts still doubt its future.
Instead, Tavares said, Stellantis will appoint management teams to develop recovery plans for each brand. Stellantis might be able to beef up dwindling lineups by sharing designs among the divisions. It may also bring models over from its more stable European Peugeot operation to sell under other names in the States, he added.
The reprieve may not last forever. Tavares pronounced himself “reasonably confident” all of the nameplates live on for now. However, he’s charging his new management teams with developing “stress tests” to determine when to drop a struggling brand.
