Stellantis joins World Class Manufacturing Association, seeks new partnerships and keeps all brands

Stellantis was unanimously approved to become a member of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Association, an international body that promotes industrial excellence, lean production and continuous improvement. The move, announced by CEO Antonio Filosa and manufacturing chief Francesco Ciancia, is intended to boost efficiency and competitiveness across the group’s factories.

At the Future of the Car summit hosted by the Financial Times, Filosa said Stellantis will remain open to further industrial partnerships beyond its existing deal with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor, which is being expanded to a European production programme and a jointly developed C‑SUV. He also stressed that no Stellantis brand will be discontinued, arguing that each brand survives because customers still want it and that the group will instead focus on efficient capital allocation and brand‑specific strategies.

Meanwhile, Chinese electric‑vehicle giant BYD is in talks with Stellantis and other European carmakers about acquiring under‑utilised factories in Europe, including potential sites in Italy. BYD’s executive Stela Li said the company prefers to run its own processes rather than co‑produce vehicles, and the reports noted BYD’s interest in the Maserati name as part of the negotiations. Stellantis declined to comment on the talks.

Together, these developments show Stellantis pursuing manufacturing excellence, broader partnership opportunities and a defensive stance on its brand portfolio while being drawn into discussions on European plant acquisitions with BYD.