The Paris Motor Show has opened its doors. A day reserved for the press, on Monday a series of conferences by the manufacturers present will take place. At stand C3, Carlos Tavares awaits his interview at BFM Business. “It’s at the Leapmotor booth,” says the Stellantis boss’s team. An anecdote that says a lot about the strategy of the group of 14 brands*.
As the European Union argues with Beijing over surcharges on electric vehicles made in China, is the small Chinese manufacturer the new ace in the automobile giant’s hole?
“What we are looking for is to take advantage of the dynamics of Chinese cars in Europe, which we will use to ensure the future of Stellantis. There is a Chinese offensive in Europe (…) we seek to take advantage of it,” Carlos Tavares responded to BFM Business.
In fact, the small Chinese brand will help the automobile giant deploy an offer that it lacks and that consumers are waiting for. This is an entry-level electric car. In September, Stellantis announced the opening of orders for the Leapmotor T03, sold from 19,500 euros. The first customers will be delivered in October.
This price positions it as one of the cheapest electric cars on the European market, along with the Dacia Spring. But unlike the Spring, which is assembled in China, the Leapmotor T03 is assembled in Poland, at the Fiat factory in Tychy. In this way, surcharges from the European Commission on Chinese vehicles are avoided.
Purchase offers for French manufacturers from China.
This strategy raises questions about the future of the group’s other brands. With strong competition from China, will some disappear or be sold?
“I position myself as the first defender of the brands we have, particularly in Europe and particularly in France. That said, there is no taboo,” responds Carlos Tavares.
An issue that could have serious consequences, with European factories that could close, and that Carlos Tavares prefers to avoid. “It’s too early to talk about it. We’ll see how we get through the next twenty months.”
However, the director of Stellantis reveals that “the Chinese” have already asked him “to sell them brands.”
“I don’t want to mention them out of courtesy (…) but they asked me to sell European and even French brands and I refused,” he says.
Carlos Tavares’ last World Cup
For Carlos Tavares, this 2024 edition of the Paris Motor Show will be the last. In fact, he will retire at the end of his term, in 2026.
“After forty-five years in the automobile industry, I told myself that at the age of 68 and after consulting my wife, the time had come to turn the page.”
The announcement was made official on October 3 during an event held in Sochaux. The leader says he made this decision on his “own initiative.” Now the goal is to manage change in the energy transition.
“This is an extremely delicate and extremely dangerous change. I want to ensure that the company, at the beginning of 2026, has fully emerged from this difficult period with sustainability based on recurring results and a solid technological situation that gives satisfaction to our company. customers.”
*Stellantis group brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall.
Source: BFM TV
