Antonio Filosa, the new CEO of Stellantis, calls on the European Union to embrace a more inclusive approach to electric vehicle transition, advocating for support of hybrids and alternative fuels to maintain competitiveness amidst global pressures and regulatory debates.
The new CEO of Stellantis, Antonio Filosa, recently made a direct appeal to the European Union, urging them to adopt a more flexible and supportive stance toward the automotive industry's shift to electric vehicles (EVs). Talking ahead of a key meeting scheduled for September 12— hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—Filosa emphasized how urgent it is for governments to step up and act, especially now, given the increasing global competition and mounting regulatory pressures.
Filosa, who stepped into the role at Stellantis—parent company of brands like Fiat, Peugeot, Chrysler, Jeep, and Opel—in June, pointed out the escalating hurdles caused by China's dominance in EV tech and ongoing tariffs from the U.S. He called on the EU to expand its support beyond just fully electric cars, advocating instead for policies that also promote hybrid systems. He believes this approach could, in fact, speed up the process of replacing older vehicles on European roads. Honestly, this could lead to a bigger drop in overall carbon emissions than simply focusing on the number of new cars sold each year, he argued.
“A European policy that encourages swapping out old cars for new ones and offers a broader choice of powertrains would actually make a bigger dent in global CO2 emissions than just counting annual new car sales,” Filosa said during a joint interview with Italy’s Il Sole 24 Ore and France’s Les Echos. His words highlight some of the tension within the industry, especially over current EU rules that seem heavily skewed toward battery electric vehicles, possibly leaving transitional technologies like hybrids in the dust.
Interestingly enough, other big names in the European auto scene have voiced similar sentiments. Industry leaders like Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and Matthias Zink from Schaeffler AG have publicly questioned whether it’s really realistic to aim for banning all internal combustion engines by 2035. They argue that such targets don’t fully take into account technological limits or economic factors, especially for heavy vehicles. Instead, they’re pushing for a regulatory approach that welcomes a range of solutions—things like hydrogen fuel and synthetic fuels—along with a reevaluation of emissions standards, especially for heavy-duty trucks and buses.
This wider discussion is unfolding alongside Stellantis’ own internal reassessment under Filosa’s leadership. The company recently started a review of its ‘Dare Forward 2030’ plan, which previously aimed for aggressive electrification and strong sales growth by the end of the decade. This review was prompted by operational challenges faced in both European and U.S. markets, which led to abandoning fixed yearly targets and even the departure of former CEO Carlos Tavares. Under Filosa’s guidance, Stellantis seems to be adjusting its strategy—trying to strike a better balance between electrification goals and the realities of the market, including keeping competitiveness in segments where internal combustion engines are still king.
Filosa’s push for dialogue with EU policymakers also reflects the broader industry desire for collaborative, pragmatic solutions that support the transition, without sacrificing affordability or consumer choice. You see, Tavares had previously warned about a potentially disruptive fast-track toward 2035, emphasizing that an abrupt shift could limit access to affordable mobility options. He had also championed hybrid technology as a transitional step, aiming to make the decarbonization process smoother.
This upcoming meeting with von der Leyen marks a pretty significant moment for Europe’s car industry. Besides the regulatory pressures, it faces intense international competition and shifting consumer expectations. Meanwhile, Stellantis itself is undergoing a broader internal shake-up following Tavares’ exit, with Chairman John Elkann leading efforts to stabilize the ship and improve relationships with dealers and customers alike.
On top of that, initiatives like the European Commission’s Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry, led by Commissioner Tzitzikostas, show the EU’s intention to work closely with all key players—including manufacturers and social partners—to tackle technological, regulatory, and economic challenges. The overall goal, of course, is to keep Europe relevant in the global automotive arena.
So, it’s clear that Stellantis’ new CEO is calling for a more pragmatic, flexible approach from EU policymakers. He’s supporting the idea that transition technologies—like hybrids and alternative fuels—should be part of the mix in the broader push for electrification. This sentiment isn't isolated; many across the sector are seeking a balanced path to reach decarbonization goals without risking the industry’s future amid cutthroat international competition and fast-changing markets. Honestly, it’s pretty interesting, right?
Source: Noah Wire Services
