Will Wayne Griffiths Become the New Stellantis Boss?

Industry Rumors Will Wayne Griffiths Become the New Stellantis Boss?

2025-04-22 From Andreas Grimm | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Wayne Griffiths' future is prompting speculation due to his abrupt departure from the top of Seat. The name Stellantis comes up repeatedly. However, insiders believe the opportunity has already passed.

What tasks will Wayne Griffiths undertake? There is currently intense speculation about the top position at Stellantis.(Image: Rehberg – »kfz-betrieb«) — What tasks will Wayne Griffiths undertake? There is currently intense speculation about the top position at Stellantis.
(Image: Rehberg – »kfz-betrieb«)

Since the unexpected departure of Wayne Griffiths as CEO of Seat and Cupra, the industry has been speculating about the future of the car manager, who served the Volkswagen Group for 37 years, starting as a student. From the outset, the move to the top of another car company was considered, and there is currently one position open: the vacant successor to the former Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares.

Corresponding speculations shot up immediately at the end of March – or perhaps the switch of Renault CEO Luca de Meo to Stellantis, after which Griffiths could succeed him (as he did when he advanced to the Seat CEO position in 2020). Now the Stellantis option is gaining new momentum. The Spanish magazine "La Tribuna de Automocion" reported online on April 15 about a meeting between Griffiths and Stellantis supervisory board chairman and Fiat heir John Elkann. Since the separation from Tavares on December 1, Elkann has been searching for a suitable successor who could shape the multi-brand conglomerate Stellantis, with its diverse traditions and characteristics, into a powerful entity. The British Griffiths was considered a promising candidate from Elkann's perspective, the magazine states in its report.

The previous CEO of Seat and Cupra, Wayne Griffiths, has surprisingly resigned from his post with immediate effect. (Image:Authors' Union Mobility/Seat)

"Reliable sources" in Spain

According to reliable sources, there are now "diverging positions" regarding the assessment of the state of the Stellantis group. American executives of the car manufacturer are said to support the personnel choice of Griffiths, while there are reservations from the European side. Griffiths himself writes on the business network LinkedIn that he is "happier and in better shape than ever" after stepping down from the top of Seat and looks forward to where his "fate will lead him". However, the quoted industry insiders deny that he consciously aimed for the top position at Stellantis when leaving.

According to the report, the second hot candidate for the top job at Stellantis is Antonio Filosa, head of the group's operations in the Americas and global head of the quality department. He would have the advantage of knowing the company from the inside. A possible contractual non-compete clause that could delay Griffiths' move would also not be an issue.

The Europe director of Stellantis, Jean-Philippe Imparato, also a candidate speculated for the top position, is said to have reportedly declined. However, he has recently expressed himself clearly and extensively regarding the future of the various brands, their differentiation from each other, and the future of the company.

Wayne Griffiths himself quotes musician David Bowie on LinkedIn: "I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." In terms of speculation about his future and the Stellantis leadership, he is certainly right.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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