In a strategic reshuffle aimed at sharpening the design DNA of its most iconic brands, Stellantis has announced the appointment of Scott Krugger as Head of North America Design. The newly created position places Krugger at the creative helm of legendary American marques including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram, as he reports directly to North America COO Antonio Filosa.
Krugger, a seasoned design executive who began his career with the company in 2001, brings more than two decades of brand-shaping experience. His most recent role saw him lead the exterior design for Dodge and Dodge//SRT passenger and utility vehicles in North America—vehicles known for their aggressive styling and performance-first ethos. He also previously oversaw design for Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and user experience development at Stellantis’ EMEA design studio, giving him a global design perspective rare in the industry.
The appointment is part of a larger transformation of Stellantis’ design leadership structure, which also includes the recent hiring of Gilles Vidal to head design for the company’s European brands. Both moves are key to Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles’ vision of a globally unified yet regionally agile design operation.
“With Scott’s immense design talent and proven leadership in North America and Gilles’ award-winning track record in Europe, we are opening a new chapter of creative excellence,” said Ralph Gilles, who continues to spearhead Stellantis’ global design strategy while working closely with regional heads to ensure brand authenticity and consumer resonance.
The company’s new design framework aims to strike a balance between global design consistency and regional customization—a necessity in today’s diverse and rapidly evolving auto markets. Under this model, Krugger will help steer the North American brands through a design renaissance that prioritizes bold innovation while honoring the heritage that defines each marque.
Krugger’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Stellantis, as the company intensifies efforts to electrify its lineup and expand its reach in both traditional and emerging markets. With fresh leadership and a sharpened creative vision, Stellantis appears determined to make its next generation of vehicles as visually compelling as they are technologically advanced.
For fans of muscle cars, rugged off-roaders, and American luxury alike, the future just got a little more exciting.
Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 115th anniversary in signature style—with accelerating global momentum and a product strategy that blends heritage with modernity. The Italian marque has announced a robust 20% year-on-year increase in global registrations for the first half of 2025, a testament to its dynamic portfolio, growing international presence, and the successful launch of the all-new Alfa Romeo Junior.
Compact Power, Global Reach
At the heart of Alfa Romeo’s resurgence is the Junior, the brand’s new compact premium offering that has quickly become a cornerstone of its global expansion strategy. With over 45,000 orders recorded since its launch just a few months ago in 38 countries, the Junior is more than a new model—it’s a symbol of Alfa’s adaptability in a rapidly changing industry.
Available in a variety of powertrains—including the 280-hp Elettrica Veloce, the 156-hp Elettrica, and the 145-hp Ibrida (also available with Q4 all-wheel-drive)—the Junior represents Alfa’s most versatile and accessible interpretation of Italian sportiness yet. Impressively, 17% of all Junior orders so far are for the full-electric variant, highlighting a growing appetite for performance EVs in the premium compact segment.
Europe: A Stronghold Reinforced
Europe remains Alfa Romeo’s primary growth engine, with regional registrations surging 33.3% year-over-year. Key markets contributed significantly to this trajectory: France led the pack with a 51% rise—where the Junior is already segment leader—followed by the UK (+50%), Italy (+35%), and a remarkable 200% increase in the Netherlands.
South America & MEA: Surging Demand
In South America, Alfa Romeo experienced a stellar 63% increase in registrations, signaling both rising brand awareness and effective market entry strategies. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region posted a solid 34% year-over-year growth, reinforcing Alfa’s foothold in emerging premium markets.
Asia-Pacific: Setting the Stage
While the Asia-Pacific region saw a slight decline overall in H1, Alfa Romeo’s investment in the area remains steadfast. The Junior debuted in Japan in June, and an Australian market launch is imminent. Looking ahead, the brand is preparing entries into Malaysia and Taiwan, signaling intent to expand its APAC footprint more aggressively. In China, Alfa Romeo maintained steady performance, reflective of its consistent, if measured, presence in the world’s largest auto market.
North America: Strategy Shift in Progress
Contrasting the global uptrend, North America saw a decline in registrations. However, Alfa Romeo executives remain proactive, signaling that a targeted strategy is in motion to counter market challenges and reignite momentum in this crucial region.
Tonale, Giulia, and Stelvio: The Core Trio
Beyond the Junior, Alfa Romeo’s core line-up continues to deliver. The Tonale remains a critical player in the premium C-SUV segment, praised for its balance of performance, technology, and efficiency. Meanwhile, the Giulia and Stelvio continue to embody the brand’s classic DNA—sporty, elegant, and unmistakably Italian.
A Milestone Year for the Biscione Brand
Celebrating 115 years since its founding in 1910, Alfa Romeo has leaned into its rich history with a series of iconic moments throughout 2025. Among them: dynamic testing of the breathtaking new 33 Stradale at the legendary Balocco Proving Ground and the debut of the book Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale during the exclusive FuoriConcorso event.
Additionally, Alfa Romeo welcomed global fans to an international gathering in Arese that drew thousands of Alfisti from across the globe—underscoring the brand’s enduring emotional resonance. The celebration continues through major new partnerships, including with Luna Rossa for the 38th America’s Cup, and world tennis star Jasmine Paolini, now serving as a global Brand Ambassador.
Looking Forward with Confidence
Commenting on the brand’s performance, Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili remarked: “Alfa Romeo’s 115th anniversary is not just a commemoration, but an opportunity to celebrate the most authentic essence of the brand. Homogeneous growth has marked the first six months of the year, as a result of robust planning and a comprehensive commercial offering.”
He emphasized the brand’s long-term vision: “We want to seize new opportunities and face the challenges of a constantly evolving global scenario with determination. We will do so with our people, with the dealer network, and with Alfisti fans from all over the world.”
Conclusion: A Legacy Reinvented
With the Junior igniting new interest across continents and the rest of the line-up reinforcing Alfa Romeo’s premium credentials, 2025 is shaping up as a pivotal chapter for the brand. As it charts a bold course toward electrification and global expansion, Alfa Romeo is proving that staying true to one’s roots doesn’t mean standing still—it means accelerating toward the future with style, spirit, and unmistakable Italian flair.
Stellantis N.V. has reported a challenging first half for 2025, posting net revenues of €74.3 billion — a 13% decline compared to H1 2024. The drop, largely driven by weakened performance in North America and Enlarged Europe, was compounded by foreign exchange pressures, industry tariffs, and a sharp dip in European light commercial vehicle (LCV) volumes. Despite the headwinds, the company is signaling a pivot, with a new CEO at the helm and a fresh product wave underway aimed at reigniting momentum.
Changing of the Guard: Antonio Filosa Takes the Wheel
On June 23, 2025, Antonio Filosa officially assumed the role of CEO, following a unanimous appointment by the Stellantis Board in late May. With a reputation for people-first leadership and an extensive internal track record, Filosa is tasked with steering the 14-brand auto giant through an increasingly volatile global market.
In one of his first major moves, Filosa unveiled a restructured leadership team featuring a mix of proven executives and rising talent, many of whom are taking on expanded roles for the first time. The reshuffle reflects a strategic emphasis on operational agility and a sharper customer focus. Filosa’s confirmation as an executive director and Board member was finalized at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 18.
New Metal Hits the Market Amid Commercial Recovery Push
While the financials show a company under pressure, Stellantis is betting on product-led growth to drive recovery. The first half of 2025 saw the launch of four new models — the Citroën C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, Opel/Vauxhall Frontera, and the Ram ProMaster Cargo BEV — alongside key updates to volume drivers like the Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, Citroën C4/C4X, and Opel Mokka.
These efforts are already bearing fruit, with Stellantis gaining 127 basis points in EU30 market share versus the second half of 2024. North America also showed signs of life with improved order books, suggesting a stronger performance ahead.
Looking forward, Stellantis is doubling down on its model offensive, with 10 new vehicles slated for launch in 2025. These include three highly anticipated STLA Medium platform products — the Jeep Compass, Citroën C5 Aircross, and DS No8 — set to join the already-debuted Peugeot 3008, 5008, and Opel/Vauxhall Grandland in the second half of the year.
The Ram brand is also responding to customer demand, confirming the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 in the 2026 Ram 1500, arriving at dealerships in late 2025. Other key returns include the hybrid Jeep Cherokee and the ICE-powered Dodge Charger SIXPACK, both of which have been on hiatus since 2023. The new four-door Charger Daytona is also set to expand the iconic muscle car’s lineup.
Peugeot thrilled fans with the return of the GTi badge, unveiling the all-new 208 GTi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Meanwhile, in South America, the Fiat Titano pickup has been relaunched in Argentina with new powertrain options and is now being produced locally in Córdoba.
Tariff Pressures and Strategic Planning
The global trade environment remains a drag on Stellantis’ performance. The company now estimates its net tariff impact for 2025 at around €1.5 billion, with €0.3 billion already absorbed in H1. Stellantis says it remains actively engaged with policymakers and is continuing long-term scenario planning to mitigate future trade-related risks.
H2 2025 Outlook: A Measured Rebound in Sight
Despite a bruising first half, Stellantis is reintroducing financial guidance for H2 2025. It expects an increase in net revenues, low-single-digit adjusted operating income (AOI), and improved industrial free cash flow (FCF), assuming no major changes to current trade policies.
In a statement, Filosa remained cautiously optimistic:
“My first weeks as CEO have reconfirmed my strong conviction that we will fix what’s wrong in Stellantis by capitalizing on everything that’s right – starting from the strength, energy and ideas of our people, combined with the great new products we are now bringing to market.
2025 is turning out to be a tough year, but also one of gradual improvement.”
As the company battles rising external pressures and internal transformation, one thing is clear — Stellantis is not standing still. With new leadership, a refreshed portfolio, and a resolve to adapt, the second half of 2025 could mark the beginning of a new chapter.
