Can Stellantis turn around?
Stellantis CFO Doug Ostermann has been appointed head of Stellantis Financial Services, expanding his role as the automaker works to stabilize after a €2.3 billion loss.
Stellantis CFO Doug Ostermann has been appointed head of Stellantis Financial Services, expanding his role as the automaker works to stabilize after a €2.3 billion loss.
Stellantis Chief Financial Officer Doug Ostermann will take on additional responsibilities as head of Stellantis Financial Services (SFS), a move announced by the executive in a LinkedIn post on Friday.
The expansion of his role comes at a critical time for the automaker, which is contending with losses, market pressures, and a major leadership transition.
Ostermann described the financial services arm as “a powerful enabler of growth,” emphasizing its role in offering customers flexible financing and supporting vehicle sales across Stellantis brands, including Jeep, Fiat, and Ram.
The unit, wholly owned by Stellantis, provides financing for new and used cars and is viewed as an important lever for boosting customer loyalty and cash flow at a time when the company’s broader performance is under strain.
The company reported a €2.3 billion net loss for the first half of 2025, as revenues dropped 13% year-over-year to €74.3 billion. The declines were driven by weaker demand in North America and Europe, partially offset by growth in South America.
Adjusted operating income fell sharply to €0.5 billion, with a margin of just 0.7%, compared to €8.5 billion and a 10% margin in the same period last year.
Stellantis also recorded €3.3 billion in charges excluded from AOI. Despite the losses, the company pointed to sequential improvements in shipments, revenues, and cash flow compared to the second half of 2024, suggesting early signs of stabilization.
The automaker continues to absorb the impact of global tariffs, revising its projected net tariff hit for 2025 to €1.5 billion, €0.3 billion of which was recorded in the first half.
The company said it is working with policymakers while engaging in scenario planning to mitigate risks.
Ostermann’s expanded remit aligns with broader changes under new CEO Antonio Filosa, who took over in June.
Filosa has begun reshaping the leadership team, drawing on executives with extensive automotive experience to restore operational momentum.
“2025 is turning out to be a tough year, but also one of gradual improvement,” Filosa said during the company’s first-half earnings call, citing progress in shipments and new product launches.
The leadership shift also coincides with the appointment of several new senior executives, part of a push to strengthen governance and accelerate decision-making.
Stellantis is banking on an aggressive product rollout to regain ground. The first half saw the launch of four models—the Citroën C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, Opel/Vauxhall Frontera, and Ram ProMaster Cargo BEV.
Ten more models are slated for the full year, including three SUVs based on the STLA Medium platform: the Jeep Compass, Citroën C5 Aircross, and DS No8.
In Europe, the company is focusing on affordable SUVs and compact cars, segments that dominate the market.
In the United States, Stellantis is reviving the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 for Ram pickups and reintroducing the Jeep Cherokee with hybrid technology, aiming to capture demand in both traditional and electrified segments.
The automaker’s 2026 business plan is expected to outline further strategic changes. Until then, the company is relying on its expanded product lineup and leadership adjustments to weather the downturn.
The integration of SFS under Ostermann’s leadership underscores the company’s view that captive finance operations are critical to its long-term recovery.
Beyond providing credit to customers, financial services can support sales, enhance customer retention, and contribute directly to earnings—a model long proven by competitors in the automotive industry.
For Stellantis, whose market share in key regions remains under pressure, leveraging SFS effectively could provide an important buffer as it navigates the challenging months ahead.