Stellantis takes massive $26B hit after moving away from EVs

Core Viewpoint - Stellantis announced a $26.5 billion charge due to a reduction in electric vehicle (EV) production, reflecting a misjudgment of consumer demand for EVs, which is larger than similar charges taken by Ford and General Motors [1][6]. Group 1: Company Strategy and Leadership Changes - Stellantis had ambitious EV goals under former CEO Carlos Tavares, aiming for EVs to constitute 100% of European sales and 50% of U.S. sales by 2030, but he was ousted in 2024 after a significant drop in U.S. sales [2]. - The new CEO, Antonio Filosa, acknowledged that previous assumptions about EV demand were "over optimistic" and emphasized a strategic reset to focus on customer preferences globally and regionally [5]. Group 2: Financial Impact and Market Response - The $26.5 billion charge includes costs related to quality issues and a reduction in the EV supply chain, as well as adjustments to warranty provisions due to poor product quality and job cuts in Europe [6][7]. - Following the announcement, Stellantis shares fell over 22% in New York and more than 23% in Milan, indicating a negative market reaction to the news [10][11]. Group 3: Industry Context and Future Projections - Fully electric vehicles accounted for 19.5% of European sales and only 7.7% of new U.S. car sales last year, highlighting the challenges faced by automakers in transitioning to EVs [5]. - Stellantis forecasts a mid-single-digit increase in net revenue for 2026 and a low-single-digit adjusted operating income margin, with expectations of positive industrial free cash flows by 2027 [11].