Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said it is better to take a few more weeks to validate their new models than to offer a worse product
Through Brad Anderson
5 hours ago
- Stellantis remains optimistic that its quality-focused EVs will win over customers despite delays.
- CEO Carlos Tavares says rushed EV launches could compromise sustainability and performance.
- Ram has postponed the launch of the 1500 REV from late 2024 to early 2025.
Stellantis has postponed the launch of several key EVs, choosing caution over haste as it seeks to avoid the pitfalls of rushing unproven models to market. While a pragmatic move, it highlights the challenges the automaker faces as it navigates a rapidly changing industry.
One of the biggest delays for the struggling automaker is the Jeep Wagoneer Sa key model for the brand. Originally slated for a fall launch, it’s now not expected to hit dealerships until the end of the year. In the same way, the production of the Cleverness Charger Daytona has yet to begin shipping, although dealers still expect to receive their first units before the end of this year.
Read: Stellantis unveils new STLA frame to support EVs, hybrids, hydrogen and ICE trucks
Another delayed EV under the Stellantis umbrella is the Ram 1500 REV. The all-electric pickup, supported by the company’s STLA Frame architecture, was the first with a preview expected in early 2023 and validation work continues to this day, pushing the launch from late 2024 to 2025. According to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, the company does not want to rush the launch of such an important model.
“We don’t want to take any risks in terms of validation,” Tavares said Car news. “It is very important for Stellantis to demonstrate that we have all the capabilities and that we master the technology with a high level of sustainability, and that is exactly what we are doing now, so we do not want to rush. It’s better to take a few weeks longer to properly validate than to rush and then make quality mistakes. That’s what we do now. We validate and manage the peak between the products we have in front of us.”
But delays are only part of the story. Stellantis faces an uphill battle with consumer skepticism toward electric vehicles, exacerbated by the potential rollback of the $7,500 federal tax credit under the new Trump administration. This would increase prices, further complicating efforts to convince hesitant buyers. However, Tavares remains optimistic and believes the driving experience itself will convince skeptics.
“It’s all about listening to the customer,” says Tavares. “They will ask us (for (affordability). They will ask us to sell BEVs at the price of (gasoline vehicles)… At the end of the day, when I do the test drives of those (electric) vehicles, I always come up with the same conclusion: it is a better car.”
It’s a confident pitch, but one that ultimately rests on Stellantis’ ability to deliver results. Whether buyers will share Tavares’ optimism when these delayed models finally hit the market remains an open question.
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