Since the surprise resignation of Carlos Tavares at the end of 2024, Stellantis has been looking for his future CEO. While the group had announced an appointment in the first half of 2025, we are now in mid-April … and still no official name has emerged. But speculations are going well.
Shortlist of five names
According to the latest indiscretions, Stellantis would have reduced his list of suitors to five candidates: two internal profiles and three externally.
On the interns side, Antonio Filosa, current CEO of Stellantis North America, is a favorite. Alongside him, Maxime Picat, ex-boss of Stellantis Europe and now director of purchasing of the group, is also expected. Two well -known men from the group, experienced, but faced with competitors outside the profiles … intriguing. According to our information, Jean-Philippe Imparato, CEO of Stellantis Europe, would also have been in the list, but the latter would have refused.
Wayne Griffiths, a credible outsider
Among the external candidates, a name becomes credible: Wayne Griffiths, ex-CEO of Seat and Cupra. Officially, he left office on March 31, 2025, “at his request”, to take up new challenges. A timing that does not fail to arouse questions, especially since no destination has been announced to date.
Yesterday, after 37 years, I decided to leave the Volkswagen group.
I entered Audi AG at the age of 21 and left it yesterday as CEO of Seat SA and Cupra.
It was an incredible journey, with too many highlights to list them all. But the most important thing for me is the fantastic people I met and with whom I worked throughout this route, and I want to thank you all for your friendship and your loyalty.
-I just wanted you to know that I am happy and in better shape than ever, and that I can’t wait to see where my destiny will take me.
As my hero David Bowie said: “I don’t know where I’m going to go from here, but I promise you that I won’t be bored”.
Griffiths is a pure product of the Volkswagen group. Entered Audi in 1989, he then alternated between Seat and the brand with the rings. Named CEO of Cupra in 2019, then from Seat in 2020, he was able to breathe new life into these two brands. Under his direction, Cupra has become one of the fastest growth brands in Europe, With models like the Born or the Terramar.
The leader also faced turbulence, including the rise of Chinese competition and recent customs uncertainties in the United States. His strategic vision, his international profile and his experience in the development of brands could seduce a group as vast and multicultural as Stellantis.
A race against the clock
Currently, Stellantis is in full transformation phase: rise in power of electric more difficult than expected, rationalization of brands, adaptation to North American markets, Chinese competition … So many sites that require a clear and stable direction.
If the arrival of Wayne Griffiths was confirmed, it would be a strong signal. It remains to be seen whether the ex-boss of Cupra will be part of the official announcement … which should not be long.
