Carlos Tavares described Alfa Romeo as “the greatest jewel” in the powerhouse of Stellantis
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- Carlos Tavares, the head of Stellantis, stated that he declined offers to sell Alfa Romeo to other companies, affirming that it’s “the greatest jewel” within the group.
- New generation Stelvio SUV confirmed for a 2025 launch, followed by the Giulia sedan in 2026.
- Stellantis will invest over €5 billion ($5.4 billion) in Italy, covering a battery gigafactory and the production of 15 new models locally.
Stellantis boasts a diverse portfolio of brands, but the automotive group’s CEO shows no inclination to cut or sell any, particularly Alfa Romeo. During the debut of the all-new Alfa Romeo Milano, the Italian marque confirmed plans to unveil a next-generation Stelvio SUV in 2025, with the related new Giulia sedan to follow in 2026.
Tavares Loves Alfa Romeo
Carlos Tavares, CEO of the Franco-Italian automaker Stellantis, revealed that both internal and external voices had pressured him to reduce the number of brands in the group’s lineup. However, Tavares remains committed to maintaining the current brand portfolio.
More: New Milano ‘Baby’ SUV Is Alfa Romeo’s First Ever EV
He went on to describe Alfa Romeo as “the greatest jewel” within Stellantis, emphasizing its importance. Tavares also disclosed that other companies had expressed interest in acquiring Alfa Romeo, but it only took him a second to decline the offers.
Tavares proudly stated that he won’t be selling any Stellantis brands to the Chinese, criticizing the strategy followed by rivals in the automotive business: “Those who bring Chinese automakers to Italy are on the same page with those who sold Volvo to Geely and MG to another Chinese carmaker (SAIC). My friends, this is not going to happen with Stellantis, this is not going to happen with Alfa Romeo.”
He also dismissed reports about Stellantis abandoning Italy and dismantling Fiat as “fake news.” Instead, he confirmed that the group will invest more than €5 billion ($5.4 billion) in Italy, including the construction of a battery gigafactory and the production of 15 new models in local plants.
Fiat Panda Production Extended to 2030
Additionally, production of the ICE-powered Fiat Panda (Pandina) at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant has been extended until 2030, three years longer than initially announced. It’s worth noting that the existing third generation of the Italian city car was introduced in 2012, meaning it will be 18 years old by the time production concludes.
New Stelvio And Giulia Coming Soon
Before Carlos Tavares took the stage, Alfa Romeo CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, outlined the brand’s future plans. He confirmed the debut of the new generation Stelvio SUV in the second half of 2025, followed by the Giulia sedan in 2026. Both models will utilize the STLA Large architecture, shared with the new Dodge Charger Daytona.
More: Stellantis CEO Wants To Cut EV Battery Weight In Half
Imparato also underscored the brand’s unique position in the global market. He pointed out that Alfa Romeo might be the only automaker in the world offering such a wide spectrum of vehicles, from the stratospheric €2 million ($2.15 million) 33 Stradale supercar to the approachable €30,000 ($32,000) Milano subcompact SUV. He further emphasized the 33 Stradale’s success by revealing that all 33 units sold out in a mere seven weeks, leaving a waiting list of 50 eager customers.
According to Imparato, the Alfa Romeo Milano will eventually be available in 28 countries by the end of 2024, with “many more markets” to follow in 2025. The CEO spoke about the future expansion of the Italian brand in an emphatic manner: “I want to sell Alfa Romeo everywhere – Australia, Japan, Mexico, when you are ready to pay I’m here my friend”.
