Last year, Stellantis reported a loss of 1.87 billion euros. This spring, it turned that around.
CEO Antonio Filosa credited rising demand in North America, along with early results from a turnaround plan. "The second quarter was marked by continued progress, led by North America and supported by important contributions from all other regions," Filosa said in a statement.
The turnaround plan involves a slate of new vehicle launches, including an all-electric Jeep Wagoneer S and a redesigned Ram 1500 pickup. Filosa has also targeted cost reductions and supply chain improvements to lift margins. While the company swung to profitability, investors remain focused on the sustainability of that improvement amid ongoing pricing pressures and competition in the electric-vehicle space.
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Stellantis was formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, combining brands from Europe and North America. The automaker has since faced the challenge of integrating disparate operations while navigating the shift to electric vehicles. Its margin struggles reflect broader pressures on legacy automakers to fund EV development while maintaining sales of gasoline-powered vehicles that still generate most profits. The upcoming Wagoneer S and Ram 1500 EV are seen as key tests of the company's ability to attract buyers in a market dominated by Tesla and BYD.
Stellantis's push into EVs comes as legacy automakers globally struggle to balance investment in electrification with the need to maintain profitability on traditional internal-combustion models. The company's 1.8% operating margin remains well below the industry average, and the new product launches - particularly the Wagoneer S - will be critical in demonstrating that Stellantis can compete on both volume and margin in a crowded market where Tesla and Chinese rivals are cutting prices aggressively.
The company's turnaround hinges on the success of its upcoming electric vehicles, which must compete against established players and emerging Chinese brands while Stellantis focuses on cost reductions and supply chain improvements to lift margins. Currency and regulatory risks, including stricter EU emissions targets and potential US EV tax credit changes, add further uncertainty.
Citi analysts noted that the automaker's operating margin on adjusted income is a mere 1.8%, describing it as "very low."
On a positive front, the company generated 1 billion euros in industrial free cash flow by end of June, surpassing Citi's 600 million euro estimate.
Citi analysts put it bluntly: "We expect investors will await more evidence of positive operating performance before revisiting STLA."
Filosa said the company remains confident of delivering its 2026 financial guidance, with "this year's exciting new product launches on time and on track."
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