Stellantis: A meeting of world renowned mobility brands
As a motoring scribe, the name Stellantis often comes up in discussions and I get asked just who Stellantis is?
For starters, Stellantis is the third largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the world. Ibetyoudidnotknowthat.The company employs just under 270 000 people globally and owns fourteen global brands, seven of which are in South Africa. They are: Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Abarth.
Their plans for South Africa were unveiled to the media by their newly-appointed CEO Mike Whitfield. Whitfield joins Stellantis SA from Nissan, where he has spent his entire working life in various leadership positions and continents. Most recently, he was the group advisor for strategy, policy and external affairs after a number of years as managing director of Nissan Africa.
PLANS INCLUDE:
· Consolidation of the brands; · Product rationalisation;
· After market sales;
· Customer Experience; · Industrialisation.
The media spent a day at the Gerotek 4x4 testing facility, testing a plethora of cars, SUV’s, LDV’s etc. Testing included driving on an off-road and punishing 4x4 trail, track tests and then on the skid pan, where undoubtedly, the most fun was had.
Perhaps the most important part of the day when new models were introduced to the media. They include the updated Opel Corsa, C3 Aircross, expanded Peugeot Landtrek range, Jeep Wrangler, Fiat 500 Battery
Electric Vehicle, and an Abarth
battery electric vehicle.