Stellantis announced a handful of leadership changes on Tuesday, including naming Lancia brand CEO Luca Napolitano as the company’s new global chief sales and marketing officer, effective June 1.
Napolitano is replacing Thierry Koskas, who will remain with Stellantis and focus on the company’s Citroën brand. In addition to the chief sales and marketing officer role, Napolitano will retain his position as Lancia CEO.
Napolitano became Lancia CEO and a member of the Stellantis executive team in January 2021 after Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot S.A. merged to form Stellantis. Previously, he worked at Fiat Chrysler, joining what was then the Fiat Group in 2000.
Napolitano held various sales and marketing roles with Fiat, overseeing markets in Italy, Spain and other countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa and developing expertise in fleet and retail sales, dealer management and network development.
Over the past three years, Napolitano has overseen the revival of Lancia, a storied Italian brand. Before the formation of Stellantis, Lancia was stalling as it produced just one vehicle model and only for the Italian market.
In 2022, Napolitano announced Lancia’s “renaissance,” based on a 10-year plan that included three new EV models, a new online distribution model and expansion into the rest of Europe.
As part of the company’s organizational changes, Stellantis also appointed Olivier Bourges as its chief customer experience officer, charged with the task of making Stellantis the top automaker in customer service as part of the company’s Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. Bourges is replacing Richard Schwarzwald, who left the company for personal reasons, according to the press release.
Previously, Bourges was in charge of the company’s global corporate office and public affairs. Clara Ingen-Housz was hired in February and will take his place as a senior vice president of public affairs. She will join Stellantis’ executive team as part of the promotion.
