Stellantis’ $27 Billion EV Pullback: What It Means for Investors and Business Owners
Stellantis has announced $27 billion in charges as it scales back its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions, causing its shares to plunge. This reflects the growing challenges automakers face when adjusting to the transition toward cleaner transportation.
The charge is the largest in a series of writedowns from major Western automakers including Ford and General Motors, who have also scaled back EV investments amid changing U.S. policies under the Trump administration and softer-than-expected consumer demand.
Following the announcement, Stellantis’ shares listed in Milan dropped as much as 25%, hitting their lowest levels since the company’s formation in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot. This decline means the writedown now exceeds Stellantis’ current market value.
CEO Antonio Filosa stated, “The charges announced today largely reflect the cost of overestimating the pace of the energy transition that distanced us from many car buyers’ real-world needs, means, and desires.” He added that the company’s recent reset aims to realign its focus “to once again make our customers and their preferences our guiding star.”
Automakers are facing multiple headwinds, including tariffs, slower demand in China, and competition from Chinese manufacturers offering cheaper alternatives. Additionally, the U.S. market has seen slower EV adoption, partly due to the rollback of subsidies and reduced emphasis on green technologies during the Trump administration.
Chinese EV manufacturer BYD reported weak sales in January, impacting its own shares and those of peers in the region. Meanwhile, Japan’s Toyota, which has maintained stronger performance with its hybrid vehicles, announced a new CEO on Friday.
Fabio Caldato, portfolio manager at AcomeA SGR, a Stellantis shareholder, noted that the likelihood of higher charges rose following substantial impairments reported by GM and Ford. He emphasized the need for more positive data to rebuild investor confidence, especially given the ongoing challenges with automotive semiconductor supply that could constrain sales recovery.
The charges, to be recorded in the second half of 2025, are primarily tied to realigning Stellantis’ vehicle models to better match customer preferences and updated U.S. emission regulations. This includes significantly lowered expectations for EV products. Additional costs stem from streamlining the company’s EV supply chain, revising warranty provisions due to product quality concerns, and earlier announced job cuts in Europe.
Included in the writedowns is an estimated €6.5 billion in cash payments that will be distributed over four years starting in 2026. Citi analysts highlighted this as a key negative factor, pointing out the large cash outflow component despite the expected impairment.
Filosa began scaling back Stellantis’ EV ambitions last year after taking over from former CEO Carlos Tavares. Tavares’ aggressive electrification strategy had contributed to a prolonged sales decline in Europe and North America, historically the group’s strongest markets.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Stellantis’ $27 billion writedown signals a significant industry recalibration as legacy automakers scale back aggressive EV bets amidst evolving market realities and policy shifts. For businesses in Oman, this underscores the importance of aligning investment strategies with consumer demand and regulatory environments, while smart investors should watch for emerging gaps in the EV supply chain and evolving consumer preferences to identify opportunities in a more measured energy transition.
