Rennes. The CFDT reacts to the departure of Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares

Sales in free fall after years of success: it only took a few months for Stellantis shareholders to remove the boss of the automobile group, Carlos Tavares, whose resignation was announced on Sunday evening (December 1). The board of directors had already suspended Carlos Tavares, 66, by announcing his retirement in early October and launched a succession process, but disagreements accelerated his resignation.

The planets were no longer aligned, with “different points of view” between the board of directors and the manager. John Elkann had notably ruled out any merger with another automobile group, in an interview with AFP, while the Portuguese boss left the door open.

“A redistribution of wealth created in recent years, very oriented towards shareholders.”

For Laurent Valy, secretary CFDT Stellantis Rennes – La Janais. This decision is a “ surprise too. We didn't expect it to go so quickly but we knew there was tension following the poor results… So he did things, he helped turn the group around financially. He completed the acquisition of Opel and ensured the merger between FCA and PSA. But at what cost? Behind, we will especially remember from the character, that we had a sharp drop in staff during his mandate, whether in Europe, and in production or in RD, in research and development; and a redistribution of the wealth created in recent years, very oriented towards shareholders.

There was contempt for subcontracting and the commercial network. This is something that will have marked his mandate. The group is committed and we will ensure that these commitments are respected, particularly in terms of production, for the Rennes site and other sites in France.”

A visit to Rennes

CEO Carlos Tavarès came to Stellantis – La Janais last November and responded to the unions' concerns about mono-production on the Rennes site. “A risky bet for the unions because if sales are not good, there will be a direct impact on employment.” Already the drop in volumes of the C5 Aircross is leading to the elimination of 250 temporary contracts as of January 1, 2025.