Stellantis returns to set its sights on the United StatesThe automotive group led by Antonio Filosa is preparing a mega investment of 10 billion dollars to relaunch the American heart of its production, a plan that marks a decisive change of direction compared to the past strategy and that pushes the stock up on the Piazza Affari (+2,6%), in a weak session for the FTSE MIB.
Ten billion to restart the US engines
According to the previews of Bloomberg, Stellantis will announce in the coming weeks a new $5 billion investment package in the United States, which will be added to the 5 already allocated at the beginning of the yearThe resources, distributed over several years, will be allocated to reopening and modernization of the facilities in Illinois and Michigan, with new hires, relaunch of historic brands and production of new models.
Among the most advanced projects is the restart of the Belvidere plant (Illinois), now idle, where Stellantis has promised to bring back about 1.500 workers to build a new mid-size Ram pickup.
Filosa changes gear
The operation bears the signature of the new CEO Antonio Filosa, took over in May, which is recalibrating the group's industrial geography after the years of Carlos Tavares's management. Tavares had concentrated production in low-cost countries like Mexico and focused most of his investments on electrification in Europe, a currently struggling and less profitable market.
Filosa, a veteran of Fiat Chrysler, aims instead to strengthen presence in the most profitable market for Stellantis, the American one, and restoring momentum to iconic brands Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler, also considering the return of a new Dodge V8 muscle car.
Political pressure and industrial strategy
The plan comes in a delicate moment for the automotive sectorand conditioned by Trump's tariffs. The president's administration is evaluating new rates up to 25% on pick-ups produced in Mexico, a measure that would directly affect Ram models. Stellantis has reportedly already begun intense lobbying to obtain a tariff review and, in parallel, aims to strengthen domestic production to reduce exposure to trade tensions.
Secondo Bloomberg, President John Elkann would also have discussed with the White House the commitment to produce the new pick-up in Belvidere, a move that could help improve relations with the administration and the powerful United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
A strategy that is popular on the stock market
The decision to refocus on the United States is part of a broader trend that sees many multinationals, from Hyundai to big European pharma, increasing investments in the world's largest market to "gain favor" with Washington and mitigate the effects of tariffs.
Meanwhile, in Milan, investors are applauding. Stellantis shares are on the rise, (+2,68% to 9,29 euros), confirming the positive trend of the last week.
Next step: the 2026 industrial plan
The maxi investment anticipates the new industrial plan expected by the first quarter of 2026, when Filosa will present the strategy with which he intends to relaunch Stellantis after years of uncertainty. "A comprehensive evaluation of all future investments is underway," a group spokesperson confirmed to Reuters.
But the reorganization has already begun. The hydrogen vehicle joint venture with Michelin and Forvia, Stellantis, has ended. evaluates the sale of its subsidiary Free2move (car sharing) and has scaled down several European projects, where demand for cars remains weak.
