Stellantis, the global car manufacturer, has expressed its intention to rejoin the European car manufacturers’ association (ACEA) following the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares. Under Tavares’ leadership, Stellantis had opted to leave the ACEA in 2022, citing disagreements over the association’s stance on CO2 regulations.
The ACEA has welcomed Stellantis’ renewed application, with Renault CEO and ACEA Chairman Luca de Meo commenting, “Given Europe’s unprecedented competitiveness crisis and collective need to master the challenges of the green transformation, it is more important than ever to stand united.” De Meo emphasized that despite competition within the market, all ACEA members share the common goal of achieving a competitive and sustainable transition to zero-emission mobility.
Tavares had publicly criticized the ACEA, particularly regarding the association’s stance on CO2 targets. He opposed a proposal to delay the 2025 CO2 targets and accused the ACEA of advocating for a weakened phase-out of combustion engines by 2035. Stellantis’ departure from the association was seen as a protest against the failure of the ACEA’s lobbying efforts to block stringent CO2 regulations.
The decision to reapply for membership likely signals a shift in Stellantis’ strategy. Sources suggest that Tavares’ strong opposition to EU CO2 targets was a key factor in his departure, with the company’s board, led by John Elkann, pushing for a more flexible approach to the regulations. Stellantis is currently in the process of finding a new CEO, with speculation that the next leader may take a less rigid stance on CO2 targets compared to Tavares.
