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 in the world. I bet you did not know that. 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.

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Image: Naresh Maharaj

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 at Nissan 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.

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Image: Naresh Maharaj

Plans include:

Consolidation of the brands
Product rationalisation
After market
Customer Experience
Industrialisation

The media spent a day at the Gerotek 4x4 testing facility, testing a wide range 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.

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Image: Naresh Maharaj

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.

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Image: Naresh Maharaj

Prices, specifications etc. will be made known closer to launch dates in Q3 and Q4. Certainly looks to be a busy period for the Stellantis Group. Watch this space for the latest.