Stellantis is already wounded. The conglomerate watched as sales and revenue nosedived through 2024, eventually leading to the abrupt resignation of its former CEO, Carlos Tavares. This was supposed to be a year of rebuilding for the company, but with Trump's steep tariffs now in effect and no indication of stopping, things at Stellantis may soon get much worse.
Particular attention falls on Alfa Romeo and Maserati, two brands struggling more than most. Stellantis hired management consulting firm McKinsey and Company to examine the situation, notably with an eye toward tariffs. A company spokesperson told Automotive News Europe that McKinsey was "asked to provide its considerations" for the two automakers but didn't offer further insight.
Stellantis declined our request for additional information. A company spokesperson provided the following statement to Motor1:
"McKinsey has been asked to provide its considerations regarding the recently announced U.S. tariffs for Alfa Romeo and Maserati."
Bringing in a consulting firm suggests things are dire in the Stellantis camp. In the US, Alfa Romeo sold just 8,865 cars for the entire year. That's a 19 percent drop from 2023, but things are far worse at Maserati. The luxury brand sold 11,300 cars globally, with just 4,819 sold in the United States. Now that tariffs of at least 25 percent are in effect for anything imported to the States—which includes every single Maserati and Alfa Romeo model—it's no surprise that Stellantis is left wondering what to do.
Discussions are currently in the very early phase, but it seems like all options are on the table. That includes the possibility of partnering with other companies or even selling the brands. Automotive News Europe reports possible collaborations with Asian-based automakers, which sure sounds like Chinese buyers are lining up for a possible fire sale on Italian brands. Ultimately, the fate of both automakers will likely depend on Trump's tariffs. Any extended run at 25 percent could wreak havoc on the entire auto industry, never mind niche Italian houses.
Alfa Romeo is hard at work on new products. Next-generation versions of the Stelvio and Giulia are in development, though we may not see them on the streets until 2027. Maserati had plans to go electric, but changing tides have led to the company canceling the MC20 EV.
Source: Automotive News Europe
