Stellantis CEO Urges EU Support Amid Rising Chinese Auto Competition

Antonio Filosa, the new CEO of Stellantis, is urgently calling on the European Union to adopt more flexible emission regulations to support the continent's struggling auto industry. Filosa warns that current strict EU climate rules increase costs, particularly for small cars, and risk pushing manufacturers out of the market amid fierce competition from low-cost Chinese automakers. He emphasized the need for regulatory relief to revive car sales, pointing to new model launches like the Jeep Compass and hybrid Fiat 500 as potential growth drivers if rules are eased. Filosa also proposed extending the CO₂ emissions averaging period and introducing offset credits to incentivize electrification and fleet renewal. The CEO highlighted a significant structural decline in European vehicle demand, with the market shrinking by three million cars over five years, and suggested creating a new category of affordable small electric vehicles inspired by Japan’s kei cars. Overall, Filosa's message underscores the urgency of EU policy changes to preserve Europe's automotive sector amid global challenges.