Stellantis recently announced that it is overhauling its dealer network. The brands of the old Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are more likely to be brought under one roof. There is already some reassuring message from Germany for the existing dealer companies.
The merger of the PSA and FCA will also affect the dealer network of the once separately operating concerns. In May, the new group announced that it would terminate its existing dealer contracts with effect from June 1, subject to a two-year notice period. Subsequently, it is examined which dealers have a future as brand dealers of Stellantis and how the various brands can come under one roof.
Naturally, these are exciting times for dealer companies with a contract with PSA or FCA. The plans were also criticized by CECRA, the European trade association for dealers. “In only a few cases, dealers have already been approached. There is no letter of intent,” said CECRA. The boss of Stellantis Germany, Amaury de Bourmont, talks with Autohaus with a certain reassurance: “A large part of the previous network will also be offered a contract in the future.” The exact size of that portion, however, remains unclear. “The future distribution network will be selected in a timely manner based on potential and objective criteria. All stakeholders will benefit from these changes: our customers, the distribution network and Stellantis,” said De Bourmont.
The Frenchman also says that the brand dealers will be transformed into a ‘Stellantis House’. With this he emphasizes once again that the different brands often come under one roof. According to De Bourmont, the selected ones are offered to include brands of Stellantis that are not yet sold there. Stellantis also wants to encourage dealerships where brands from outside Stellantis are sold to put the emphasis on the group’s ‘own’ brands.