Stellantis wants to thoroughly reform its dealer network in 2023. The elaboration of that plan is received with criticism by the European dealer association CECRA.
On Wednesday, Stellantis announced that it will overhaul its dealer network. It wants to merge its vast portfolio of brands more by designating dealer and service companies that will house them under one roof. In the run-up to this, Stellantis has already announced that the current contracts with dealerships will therefore be terminated with due observance of a two-year notice period and that it will enter into discussions with the companies to clarify what the future looks like. Undoubtedly, dealers will disappear and it is especially that uncertainty true CECRA not particularly fond of seems.
The trade association calls Stellantis’ working method – whereby all contracts are already being terminated – ‘radical’. While it underscores Stellantis’ statement that dealer representatives will be involved in discussions about the future of the dealer network, it makes a critical note. “Dealers have already been approached in only a few cases. There is no declaration of intent.” With this, CECRA illustrates that being updated about the plans does not necessarily remove the great uncertainty about the continued existence of a dealership. CECRA indicates that it will closely monitor the situation together with the Peugeot, Citroën and Opel dealers affiliated with CECRA.