Stellantis delays new strategic plan to H1 2026 as Antonio Filosa seeks clarity

Stellantis is set to postpone the publication of its new strategic plan. Although it had been pencilled in for early next year, Reuters reports that the plan is now expected to be unveiled only towards the end of the first half of 2026.

Why Stellantis is postponing its strategic plan

The delay is intended to give Antonio Filosa - the new chief executive, who took up the role in June - more time to navigate major uncertainty across the carmaker’s most important markets.

Speaking to analysts last Friday, Stellantis’ global head of investor relations, Ed Ditmire, said: “We initially guided to the first quarter of 2026; now it’s more accurate to point to the first half of 2026.”

US tariffs remain a key risk

One of the uncertainties behind the postponement is the issue of US tariffs, which have hit Stellantis particularly hard. In July, Filosa estimated a financial impact of €1.5 billion linked to the tariffs.

In 2024, more than 40% of the group’s vehicles sold in the United States came from Mexico and Canada, which are currently subject to 25% tariffs. Even so, the chief executive has stressed that he does not see trade tariffs as a definitive barrier.

Regulatory challenges in Europe

Another major unknown comes from European Union regulations, which have proved difficult for Stellantis - as they have for many other manufacturers.

The planned ban on selling new internal-combustion cars from 2035 has pushed Stellantis to invest heavily in recent years in electric vehicles and in retooling factories. At the same time, it is facing competition from cheaper Chinese EVs, while options such as renewable fuels are being left with little room.

As a result, Filosa is also waiting for the outcome of the review of the 2035 emissions targets, due by the end of the year, before taking strategic decisions on Stellantis’ timetable for the coming years.

“We expect to make final decisions on the timing soon and communicate them promptly,” Ditmire said.

First positive results

Despite the later timetable for the plan, Antonio Filosa has been highly active since taking office in June as he works to change the direction of the group, which has 14 brands (15 if Leapmotor is included).

Early signs are emerging. In its third-quarter delivery update, Stellantis reported deliveries up 13% compared with the same period in 2024, reaching a total of 1.3 million units.

The biggest lift came from North America, where deliveries rose 35% to about 104,000 units. Europe also posted growth, helped by the increasingly steady ramp-up of production for new models built on the Smart Platform, such as the Citroën C3, FIAT Grande Panda and Opel Frontera.