Pressure also came from Italy, where he is Stellantis’ largest shareholder – the Agnelli family owns more than 15% of Stellantis. In Fiat’s home country, deputies questioned Carlos Tavares about plans for the Transalpine factories, with right-wing goverment Giorgia Meloni accusing the company of relocating production to lower-cost countries. The Minister of Industry, Adolfo urso, reinforced the criticism of Stellantis for not investing enough in the country.
“It is indeed Fiat’s duty to relaunch the car industry in Italy.And we are waiting for these answers for a long, long, too long”, he said, quoted by Politics. And he took the opportunity to return to a subject linked to the name carlos Tavares for a long time: the manager’s salary.
In April of this year, Stellantis confirmed the increase in the manager’s remuneration, which could reach R$36.5 million in 2024. For the fiscal year 2023, he received R$23.5 million, part of which was paid in shares. This is after the 19 million reward in 2022 has been criticized by the French president himself, Emmanuel Macron, considering “the astronomical value” “disturbing and excessive”. Marine Le Pen also criticized in the campaign for the presidential elections. “Ninety percent of my salary is part of the company’s results (…), which proves that the results are not bad”, argued Carlos Tavares, on French radio bleu Lorraine Nord, concluding: “If you think you it is not acceptable, do it. law and change the current one I will respect.”
There were more than 500 races with the “amateur” Carlos Antunes Tavares at the wheel. He never hid his passion for racing – he took part in rally, formula 3000 and endurance races – and even had a team called Clémenteam (in honor of Clémentine, the eldest of his three children) for classic cars, which he collects and he decides.. Carlos Tavares is a mechanical engineer and has always lived in the automotive world. He even explained that he got into engineering because he didn’t have the talent or the money to become a professional pilot. At the age of 14 he volunteered on the Estoril circuit.
He was born in Lisbon 66 years ago, and studied at Liceu Francês, where his mother taught. he left early, at the age of 17, to Paris.he graduated from École Centrale in the french capital in 1981.He began his career there. At Renault,where he did everything. he was on the body assembly line in Seguin during his work experience,and was a test driver at Renault,where he worked his way up,eventually working with the Megane team. He didn’t stop. And in 2011, she became number two to Carlos Ghosn – who would eventually be disgraced and flee Japan, after being caught - at Renault, after turning Nissan around.
Carlos Ghosn.There are manny theories,the best being that the businessman escaped from Japan inside a musical instrument case
I wanted more. Thirty years after joining Renault, he took advantage of his birthday, 14 august 2013, to declare to bloomberg: “Anyone who has a passion for the automotive industry comes to the conclusion that at a certain point we have the energy and the energy the desire for number one.” The message was added that since Ghosn would not succeed, he was looking at General Motors or Ford Motor. “My experience would be good for any automotive company.” A few days after these statements he left Renault management “by mutual agreement”.
But neither GM nor Ford would be Carlos Tavares’ next destination. He knows everything about cars, from creation to marketing.The man was decided by the results. And that was what PSA needed in 2013. fighting for survival,the French automaker needed to be saved. The check came from the French State and the Chinese company dogfeng Motor, and the new president. He cut costs,raised prices and gave PSA profits. He did the same with Opel, who bought PSA in 2017 (taking over the whole company in 2022), already during his mandate. Paws that earned him epithets such as the Messi of cars or “the man of cars”,also known as “the Tavares factor”.
and it was under the leadership of PSA that he established the fourth largest car manufacturer, by merging with FCA in 2021, which left him in charge of a “car” with 400 thousand workers, including those in the mangualde factory. “I don’t mind getting a little sleep,” he announced when the business was still undergoing restructuring and when he didn’t want to talk about retirement.
carlos Tavares. From test driving to leading the world’s fourth largest car group
Not everything was rosy in his way. But he continued racing to say: “In a race, sometimes we lose control of the vehicle. And when that happens, don’t say it’s the mechanics’ fault.” The results did not come. Therefore, it will not be the fault of the car mechanics.
Timed meetings, swift meals and operational performance at all times. A careful diet and jogging or a bicycle.Prepared for endless days or weeks or months.At 66, he is already thinking about a quieter life. Grandchildren want more attention. But also his vineyard – he has farms in the Douro (and houses in Lisbon and the algarve). He already said this in 2021, guaranteeing that there would be an “undoubted” retirement in “the light weather of my country.A calm and simple life, above all.”
How does Carlos Tavares justify his salary increase amid criticisms from public figures?
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, everyone, to our interview segment. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Carlos Antunes Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, known for his dynamic leadership and passion for the automotive industry. Carlos, thank you for joining us.
Carlos Tavares: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. recently, Stellantis has faced scrutiny in Italy regarding your production plans. There are concerns that the company is relocating jobs to lower-cost countries. How do you respond to these accusations, especially given Italy’s importance to Stellantis?
Carlos Tavares: It’s vital to clarify that Stellantis is committed to Italy and its workforce. While we must navigate the complexities of global supply chains, our mission includes revitalizing the automotive sector right here in Fiat’s home country. We understand the urgency expressed by officials, and I can assure you, we are working on a strategy that benefits both our company and the Italian economy.
interviewer: The Italian government, particularly under Minister Adolfo Urso, has emphasized the need for Stellantis to invest more in Italy. What specific actions are you planning to address these concerns?
Carlos Tavares: We acknowledge the expectations from the Italian government and workers. We are actively reviewing our investment strategies and considering our future in the region. Innovation,sustainability,and advanced manufacturing are key areas where we aim to enhance our contributions.
Interviewer: Shifting focus, your salary has also stirred discussion, especially after the recent increase confirmed for 2024. Critics, including public figures like French President Emmanuel Macron, have called it ‘astronomical.’ How do you justify this level of compensation?
Carlos Tavares: compensation in a role like mine is often linked to performance metrics. The vast majority of my salary is tied to the company’s results.If people are uncomfortable with that, I invite them to reconsider the frameworks within which such compensation is steadfast. Nonetheless, I’m focused on leading Stellantis to greater heights, ensuring that our performance supports this compensation.
Interviewer: You have a rich history in the automotive world,from your early days volunteering at Estoril to becoming a top executive at Renault.Given this journey, what drives your passion in the automotive industry today?
Carlos Tavares: My love for cars and racing has always fueled my career. I have a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of the automotive industry—from enhancing mobility to driving innovation in sustainable technologies. I’ve been blessed to blend my passion with my profession, and I strive to inspire the next generation of automotive enthusiasts.
Interviewer: It’s clear that your passion translates into your work. As we look to the future, where do you see Stellantis in the next five to ten years?
Carlos Tavares: Stellantis is positioning itself at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution. We are investing heavily in electric and hybrid technologies, aiming to become a leader in sustainability while still producing vehicles that consumers love. Our goal is to embrace digital transformation and bring innovative solutions to the market that reflect changing consumer behaviors.
Interviewer: That’s exciting to hear! Lastly, what message do you have for Stellantis employees and stakeholders during this time of change?
Carlos Tavares: I want to reassure everyone that we are steadfast in our commitment to growth and innovation.Your dedication and hard work are key to our success. Together, we will drive forward, facing challenges head-on, and I am confident we will emerge stronger.
Interviewer: Thank you,Carlos,for your insights and vision for Stellantis. We appreciate your time today.
Carlos Tavares: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing the future of our industry with you.
