Core Insights - Stellantis N.V. (STLA) is under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a recall query involving nearly 1.2 million Ram trucks from model years 2013 to 2018 [1][10] - The investigation is prompted by reports of failures in the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) system, which could lead to unintended vehicle movement and rollaway incidents [2][3][10] Recall Investigation - NHTSA received 14 vehicle owner questionnaires and six reports of deaths or injuries related to the BTSI system failures [2] - The current recall query aims to assess the effectiveness of prior recall fixes and investigate the underlying causes of continued rollaway events [4] Production Challenges - Stellantis faced a 34% drop in passenger car production in Italy during the first half of 2025, alongside a 16% year-over-year decrease in commercial vehicle output [5] - The total vehicle production in the first half of the year was 221,885, reflecting a 26.9% decline compared to the same period in 2024, with no recovery expected before the end of the year [6]

Leadership Changes - New Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has promoted Tim Kuniskis to oversee all American brands and lead marketing and retail strategy in North America [1] - Kuniskis remains CEO of Ram and has a broader role across the company's U.S. operations [2] Strategic Initiatives - Stellantis is reviving the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) performance division, which will focus on high-performance vehicles and motorsports [2] - Kuniskis is leading a major product launch at Ram, with plans to introduce 25 new products over the next 18 months [3] Product Development - The return of the popular V-8 Hemi engines for Ram 1500 full-size pickup trucks has been announced, with availability expected in early 2026 [3]

In this articleSTLAStellantis' Ram display is seen at the New York International Auto Show on April 16, 2025.Danielle DeVries | CNBCAUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis reemerged from a seven-month retirement late last year saying he "missed the fight" and admitting the Stellantis brand was getting smashed in the marketplace by its competition.Kuniskis walked on stage during a media event as the speakers blared Detroit rapper Eminem singing "Guess who's back, back again." He promised an aggressive tur ...

Core Viewpoint - The appointment of Antonio Filosa as the new CEO of Stellantis is seen as a pivotal moment for the company, which faces significant challenges in revitalizing its performance and restoring relationships with stakeholders after a period of decline under the previous leadership [1][4][14]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Antonio Filosa, who has been with the company for 25 years, emphasizes the importance of avoiding mediocrity and aims to channel the leadership style of his mentor, Sergio Marchionne, to turn around Stellantis [1][2][4]. - Filosa's leadership style is described as engaging and collective, with a strong understanding of the business from factory operations to executive levels [3][17]. - The previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, resigned amid declining sales and profit, with Stellantis experiencing a 70% drop in net profit last year [5][14]. Group 2: Challenges Ahead - Filosa faces the challenge of mending relationships with dealers, employees, and politicians that were strained during Tavares' tenure, as well as managing the transition to electric vehicles [6][8]. - Stellantis' global sales fell 12.3% from 6.5 million in 2021 to 5.7 million in 2024, with a significant 27% drop in U.S. sales during the same period [11]. - The company is currently experiencing a product shortage, which has contributed to a 12% decline in overall sales during the first quarter of the year compared to the previous year [12]. Group 3: Market Position and Financial Performance - Stellantis' revenue decreased by 17.2% year-over-year in 2024 to €156.9 billion ($180.6 billion), contrasting with growth seen by competitors like General Motors and Ford [13]. - Filosa's immediate priorities include revitalizing U.S. market performance and addressing the extensive 14-brand portfolio of Stellantis [14][20]. - Investor confidence appears to be low, with shares declining 3.2% upon Filosa's appointment and continuing to drop by approximately 10% since then [23].

Core Message - The Ram brand is launching a new marketing campaign titled "Never Stop Being American," celebrating American culture and traditions, coinciding with the return of the HEMI V-8 engine and the brand's participation in NASCAR [2][8]. Marketing Campaign - The "Never Stop Being American" campaign features a 60-second advertisement narrated by UFC's Dana White, set to a custom version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and showcases various American symbols and activities [1][8]. - The campaign introduces a new tagline, "Nothing Stops Ram," and aims to resonate with American values and pride [2][8]. HEMI V-8 and NASCAR Return - The return of the HEMI V-8 engine and the Ram brand's involvement in NASCAR was officially announced by Tim Kuniskis, global CEO of the Ram brand, during a live event on June 8, 2025 [3][4]. - The "Ram-Demption" campaign was also launched, featuring a video with Kuniskis driving a NASCAR concept truck, highlighting the brand's commitment to its customers [5]. America250 Partnership - Ram has announced its exclusive truck brand partnership with America250, which is responsible for commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, including providing trucks for official events [6][9]. - The brand will also introduce a limited-edition A250 vehicle to celebrate this milestone [9]. Product Offerings - Ram is enhancing its product lineup for 2025, including improvements to the Light-Duty and Heavy Duty pickups, and introducing new off-road performance trucks like the Ram 1500 RHO [11][16]. - The company is focusing on its commercial offerings, launching the new 2025 Chassis Cab line and improving support for B2B customers [12][13].

Core Insights - Ram is returning to NASCAR after a 13-year hiatus, joining the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2026, which is part of a broader strategy involving 25 product announcements over 18 months [2][8][10] - The unveiling of the new Ram 1500 concept race truck at Michigan International Speedway marks a significant milestone for the brand, showcasing its commitment to high-performance vehicles [2][5][8] - The return to NASCAR is expected to enhance brand engagement, as over 40% of NASCAR fans are truck owners, aligning with Ram's identity of high performance and durability [4][5] Product and Marketing Strategy - The Ram 1500 concept race truck features an aerodynamic design and is inspired by the Ram Truck Sport lineup, emphasizing performance with a race engine capable of revving over 9,000 rpm [5][6] - The "Ram-Demption" marketing campaign highlights the brand's return to NASCAR and includes various video formats to engage audiences across multiple platforms [7][9] - The return to NASCAR coincides with the reintroduction of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine in the 2026 Ram 1500, further solidifying Ram's performance credentials [9][10] Historical Context - Ram previously exited NASCAR's CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2012 after a 17-year run, focusing on launching the new 2013 Ram 1500 [10] - The brand has a rich history of performance trucks, including models like the Power Wagon and SRT10 Viper Truck, which have contributed to its identity in the market [10][11] Competitive Positioning - Ram is enhancing its market competitiveness by offering a diverse range of sport and off-road trucks, aiming to meet the growing demand in the pickup segment [13][15] - The brand's strategy includes improvements in commercial offerings and a focus on B2B expertise, which are critical for growth in the commercial vehicle segment [14][15]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Legend Returns: 2026 Ram 1500 Offers 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 The Legend Returns: 2026 Ram 1500 Offers 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 Today, Ram announces the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8, beginning with the 2026 Ram 1500. Ordering for HEMI-equipped Ram 1500 trucks is now open. The first trucks with the V-8 powertrain arrive at dealerships this summer. "Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it ...

Core Insights - Stellantis reported Q1 2025 net revenues of €35.8 billion, a 14% decrease compared to Q1 2024, primarily due to lower shipment volumes and adverse regional mix [6][8] - Consolidated shipments were 1,217 thousand units, down 9% year-on-year, attributed to lower production in North America and decreased LCV volumes in Enlarged Europe [6][8] - The company is suspending its FY 2025 guidance due to uncertainties related to evolving tariff policies [5][8] Financial Performance - Q1 2025 net revenues decreased by €5.9 billion from €41.7 billion in Q1 2024 [5][6] - North America saw a 25% decline in net revenues, with shipments down 20% to 325 thousand units [14] - Enlarged Europe experienced a 3% decrease in net revenues, with shipments down 8% to 567 thousand units [15] Market Dynamics - The company launched three all-new products in Q1 2025, contributing to a 1.9 percentage point increase in EU30 market share to 17.3% [9][10] - In South America, shipments increased by 19%, maintaining a market share of 23.8% [18] - The U.S. retail order volumes improved significantly, with new retail orders rising 82% in March 2025 compared to March 2024 [9] Strategic Initiatives - Stellantis is actively engaging with policymakers on tariff policies and adjusting production plans to mitigate impacts [11][8] - The company is focusing on innovations, including the introduction of STLA AutoDrive 1.0, enhancing vehicle intelligence and automation [17] - The process to appoint a new permanent CEO is underway and expected to conclude in the first half of 2025 [8] Segment Performance - North America: Shipments down 20%, net revenues down 25% [14] - Enlarged Europe: Shipments down 8%, net revenues down 3% [15] - Middle East & Africa: Shipments down 15%, net revenues down 15% [16] - South America: Shipments up 19%, net revenues up 6% [18] - China and India & Asia Pacific: Shipments down 20%, net revenues down 15% [19] - Maserati: Shipments down 48%, net revenues down 50% [20]