Citroën CEO Also Now CEO of DS Automobiles
The latest developments within Stellantis have Xavier Chardon now appointed as CEO of DS Automobiles in addition to being CEO for Citroën.
Not really a surprise as it was announced back in May that DS Automobiles would come under the control of Citroën. It remains to be seen if the brands will merge to be one in the future, but given the confusion over DS (and SM) models being ripped from Citroën back in 2014 when the formation of DS Automobiles was announced under then CEO Carlos Tavares, this latest appointment at least moves toward further consolidation that many Citroën enthusiasts feel would correct the Citroën fracture.
Xavier Peugeot, former CEO of DS Automobiles, is now is Head of Jeep in Europe. From what we know at this stage, he remains responsible in his heritage function relating to the both Citroën and DS Automobiles.
Perhaps more telling; Arnaud Belloni has been appointed CEO of the Fiat, Abarth and Lancia brands and chief marketing officer for Europe.
Fiat is one of the 4 brands that Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa announced in May would be backed with development funding (the others being Jeep, Peugeot and RAM), in priroity to other Stallantis brands that include Citroën and DS Automobiles. A native of Naples, Italy, Filosa began his professional journey with the Fiat Group in 1999, and advanced into top management in 2018.
Beloni returns to Stellantis, where he previously spent 16 years leading marketing strategy for its Italian and French brands. He rejoins Stellantis from Renault Group, where he served as global chief marketing officer beginning in November 2020 and as chief branding officer for all the group’s brands beginning in May 2023. In his new role, Belloni succeeds Olivier François, who will support him through mid-October to ensure a smooth transition and will continue to support Stellantis as a Company strategic advisor.
With a similar move to appoint one CEO for Fiat, Abarth and Lancia, that only strengthens the corporate positioning of Italian brands in Stellantis over Citroën and DS Automobiles. Time will tell how the French prevail.