Stellantis (STLA) recently celebrated the start of a new chapter, but it looks like the international conglomerate will still have to clean up some issues from its past.
Last week, June 23 was the first official day on the job for new Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa.
Former CEO Carlos Tavares left the company late last year, leaving Filosa, who had headed Stellantis North America, waiting in the wings for the previous seven months.
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Under Tavares' leadership, Stellantis laid off American factory workers, shuffled its C-suite, and forced its U.S. brands to push products that American customers didn't like.
While Filosa has promised to reinvigorate the American portion of the sprawling company's 14-brand portfolio, he clearly has work to do to win back American consumers, who have been leaving the company.
Stellantis reported that total first-quarter 2025 U.S. sales decreased 12% year-over-year, despite a 16% increase in Ram brand sales and a 1% increase in Chrysler brand sales. Jeep brand sales saw a 2% increase.
The company reported total sales of 293,225 vehicles in the first three months of the year.
And its latest bit of news won't help turn things around.
Stellantis issues massive recall of Chrysler Voyager, Pacifica over dangerous airbag issue
Chrysler issued a voluntary recall of 250,651 Pacifica and Voyager minivans model years 2022-2025.
The vehicles' side curtain airbags may not hold enough pressure during deployment during certain types of crashes, limiting their usefulness.
The issue is caused by improperly sealed seams, which Chrysler dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, for free.
Stellantis says it is unaware of any injuries related to the issue, but it still asked that owners heed the recall notice. One user in an online Chrysler Pacifica forum said that her dealer said the remedy was not yet available.
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An official Chrysler account responded to the user's comment, but she hasn't posted an update.
Recalls are a recurring problem for Chrysler. Last year, the brand recalled more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks due to a software malfunction that could disable the vehicles' electronic stability control systems.
Chrysler also recalled 67,180 300s due to another side airbag issue that could cause the device to rupture.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa commits to the U.S. market with latest moves
Stellantis has work to do if it wants to win back American consumers.
The company reported a 14% year-over-year decline in revenue. Consolidated shipments fell 9% to 1.2 million, which the company blamed on lower North American production.
Stellantis reported that total first-quarter U.S. sales decreased 12% year-over-year, despite a 16% increase in Ram brand sales and a 1% increase in Chrysler brand sales. Jeep brand sales saw a 2% increase.
Despite being a partially U.S.-located brand, Stellantis imported 564,000 vehicles last year, well ahead of Ford's 420,000 imports.
In his opening statements to his company and the world, Filosa made it clear that the days of Stellantis being faceless are over.
He referred to Stellantis as “a global company with deep regional roots,“ and the plan going forward is to leverage its institutional knowledge in those regions.
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The company said that its “cumulative knowledge“ of each region “is second to none.“
Filosa will continue as director of North America and work from Detroit, Michigan, emphasizing the importance of the American market to Stellantis' future.
When Filosa was named the new head, it was clear that Stellantis was making a play for North America, but he doubled down on the strategy with his first official proclamations.
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