Stellantis CEO Mulls Exiting After Contract Ends in 2026

Carlos Tavares Is Under Pressure as Sales Slump
Carlos Tavares
Carlos Tavares (Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg)

[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]

In his first public comments since Stellantis NV confirmed it had started searching for his successor, CEO Carlos Tavares signaled he’s open to leaving the automaker just over a year from now.

Leaving when his contract expires in early 2026 is “one option,” Tavares told reporters Oct. 3 at a press conference in Sochaux, France.

When asked whether he may step down before then, Tavares, 66, responded: “I signed a contract.”



Tavares is under pressure amid slumping sales in North America, delayed new-model introduction in Europe and the threat of labor union strikes in the U.S. and Italy.

The setbacks have coincided with a broader industry slowdown in demand for electric vehicles, culminating in Stellantis slashing its earnings forecasts early this week.

Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing below or go here for more info: