Almost two years ago, Stellantis terminated all its distribution contracts in order to enter into discussions with European concessionary and agent networks on the establishment of new distribution contracts, known as "agent contracts", aimed at reducing distribution costs. After long months of negotiations and hard bargaining, Stellantis announces the signing of these new contracts with these European partner networks, which will be implemented gradually.
In a sector that is still undergoing unprecedented disruption and transformation, Stellantis and its network of distributors in Europe are strengthening their partnership to improve the customer experience and simplify the entire customer journey, in line with the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.
The signing of more than 8,000 sales contracts and more than 25,000 after-sales contracts in the last few weeks in 10 strategic European countries is concrete proof that Stellantis and its commercial partners share the same objectives of simplification, multi-brand approach, customer experience and constant search for quality.
In order to contribute to the development of the new distribution model, Stellantis and its network have engaged in constructive discussions while respecting the legal framework of the BER (Block Exemption Regulation). As a result, Austria, Belux (Belgium and Luxembourg) and the Netherlands will implement the new distribution model from 4 September 2023. The rest of Europe will start implementing the new model in 2024, with contracts to be signed in the coming months in accordance with the agreed framework.
For Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Operating Officer, Stellantis, Enlarged Europe "This is a historic change, not only for Stellantis, but for the entire industry. We welcome the importance of the efforts made by the various stakeholders to come together. This is the path we will follow, always with dialogue and determination, in a competitive context that we know is evolving rapidly, both in our sector and in the European economy as a whole". He added: "The exchanges between Stellantis, the European distributor associations and the entire network have been pragmatic, business-oriented, based on full transparency and very constructive discussions and interactions for both parties. I would like to thank all our employees and partners for their dedication and commitment in achieving these results, as we take new steps in implementing our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan".
These new agreements will help accelerate the pace of zero-emission mobility, at a time when Stellantis is already placing some of its vehicles on the podium in several countries. The company now has 24 electric vehicles on the market, a number that is expected to almost double by the end of 2024.
Stellantis' national organisations are an integral part of this transformation process and are designed to be more flexible and agile in terms of the new customer journey, creating a more efficient and sustainable ecosystem capable of driving the evolution of the automotive sector.