Stellantis is reshaping its leadership team in Europe, with Arnaud Belloni returning from Renault to become CEO of the Fiat, Abarth, and Lancia brands, as well as Chief Marketing Officer for Europe. Belloni will report directly to Emanuele Cappellano, Stellantis Europe CEO, along with Xavier Chardon and Xavier Peugeot, who are also assuming new responsibilities.
The changes to the leadership team are effective immediately and encompass the ‘Enlarged Europe’ region, which includes both EU and non-EU countries within Europe. This region is a key market for the multi-brand group, with 45 per cent of Stellantis sales attributed to ‘Enlarged Europe’, according to a corporate presentation from 2025.
Leadership Changes
Arnaud Belloni has been appointed CEO of Fiat, Abarth, and Lancia, alongside his new role as Chief Marketing Officer for Europe. Having previously held senior marketing positions at Stellantis for over 16 years, the 58-year-old is now set to return to the company after departing in 2020 to take over as Global Chief Marketing Officer – and, later, Chief Branding Officer – at Renault Group.
In his new role, Belloni will succeed Olivier François, who will support him until mid-October to ensure a smooth transition. Afterwards, François will continue to support Stellantis as a Company Strategic Advisor in an advisory capacity.
New Roles and Responsibilities
Xavier Chardon has been appointed CEO of DS Automobiles, in addition to his existing responsibilities at Citroën. Chardon has been CEO of Citroën since May 2025. Xavier Peugeot, in turn, will take on the newly created position of Head of Jeep in Europe, reporting directly to Emanuele Cappellano.
“This role is designed to provide Jeep with all the levers needed to meet European customers’ requirements, strengthen the brand’s development in Europe considering product, marketing and sales,” Stellantis states.
Roberta Zerbi will focus on Customer Journey Excellence and Network Development as Stellantis reorganises its Commercial Operations department in the Enlarged Europe region, led by Maurizio Zuares. Gaetano Thorel has been appointed Head of Lancia for the Enlarged Europe region, and will report to Arnaud Belloni. Additionally, Laurent Diot has been appointed Head of DS Automobiles for the Enlarged Europe region, and Fabio Catone is confirmed as Head of the Jeep, Ram and Dodge brands for the Enlarged Europe region, further solidifying the new leadership structure.
Strategic Plan
Commenting on the changes, Emanuele Cappellano, COO of the Enlarged Europe region, said: “These appointments mark another important step in accelerating the execution of our Fastlane 2030 strategic plan. They establish the foundations for a European marketing vision centered on creativity and innovation, reinforce Jeep’s growth through dedicated leadership, and clarify the positioning of Lancia and DS Automobiles as specialty brands, preserving their distinctive identities while strengthening integration with Fiat and Citroën, respectively.”
Cappellano also thanked Olivier François “for his outstanding contribution to the Company over more than 30 years managing iconic brands and shaping communication as Global Chief Marketing Officer.” He expressed confidence that François’s expertise and strategic advice would continue to benefit the company.
The return of Arnaud Belloni to Stellantis and the appointment of new leaders in key positions may signal a shift towards a more focused approach to marketing and brand development in the European region, as the company works to achieve its strategic goals. With the automotive industry undergoing significant changes, Stellantis is likely looking to strengthen its position in the market and improve its competitiveness. This strategic move could potentially enhance the company’s ability to respond to evolving customer needs and preferences, ultimately driving growth and success in the region.