Ford vs Stellantis: Founders, CEOs and History
Ford was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, Alexander Y. Malcomson and is led by Jim Farley. Stellantis was founded in 2021 by John Elkann, Carlos Tavares and is led by Antonio Filosa.
Company facts
Ford
- Founded
- 1903
- Headquarters
- Dearborn, Michigan
- Current CEO
- Jim Farley
- Employees
- 169,000
Stellantis
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Current CEO
- Antonio Filosa
- Employees
- 258,668
Founders
Ford
Henry Ford
Ford Motor Company possesses arguably the most famous, influential founding story in the entire history of global capitalism, tracing its roots to the ambition of the man who invented modern mass production.
Alexander Y. Malcomson
Alexander Malcomson was essential to the creation of Ford Motor Company because he helped turn Henry Ford's mechanical vision into an incorporated enterprise.
Stellantis
John Elkann
John Elkann is chairman of Stellantis and CEO of Exor, the Agnelli family holding company that is the group's largest shareholder.
Carlos Tavares
Carlos Tavares was chairman of the PSA managing board and became the first CEO of Stellantis in 2021. He led the integration of FCA and PSA, pushed the shared STLA platform plan and the Dare Forward 2030 strategy, and oversaw record profits in 2022 and 2023.
CEOs and their tenures
Ford
- Alan Mulally2006–2014
Former President and CEO
Mulally is universally recognized as the savior of the modern Ford Motor Company. By breaking down entrenched corporate fiefdoms and instilling a culture of radical transparency and operational discipline, he orchestrated one of the most remarkable corporate t…
Source - Jim Farley2020–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Farley's aggressive, uncompromising leadership has forced a profound cultural and structural modernization at the 120-year-old automaker.
Source
Stellantis
- John Elkann2021–present
Chairman
Represents Exor, the largest shareholder.
Source - Carlos Tavares2021–2024
First CEO of Stellantis
Delivered record 2022-2023 profits before falling US sales led to his resignation in December 2024.
Source - Antonio Filosa2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Oversaw the return to net profit in H1 2026, with Q2 net revenues up 13% to ~$49.2 billion (EUR 43.5 billion).
Source - Joao Laranjo2025–present
Chief Financial Officer
Leads financial reporting and the FaSTLAne 2030 cash flow targets.
Source
Timeline: Ford and Stellantis side by side
1903Ford
Ford Motor Company Founded
Henry Ford and investors incorporated Ford Motor Company in Michigan to produce and sell automobiles.
1908Ford
Model T Introduced
The Model T became Ford's breakthrough mass-market automobile and set up the company's scale advantage.
1913Ford
Moving Assembly Line
Ford's moving assembly line changed industrial manufacturing and lowered the cost of automobile production.
2006Ford
One Ford Turnaround Begins
Alan Mulally began the One Ford turnaround, simplifying the company and preserving liquidity before the financial crisis.
2021Ford
Ford Pro Strategy Accelerates
Ford sharpened its commercial-vehicle strategy around fleet services, telematics, charging, and customer lifetime value.
2021Stellantis
Stellantis is formed
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA completed their merger to create Stellantis.
2022Stellantis
Dare Forward 2030 strategy
The company presented a long-term plan around electrification, software, and carbon reduction.
2023Ford
Segment Reporting Realigned
Ford began reporting Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro to clarify the economics of legacy, EV, and commercial businesses.
2023Stellantis
Leapmotor strategic partnership
Stellantis invested in Leapmotor and formed a partnership to support lower-cost EV expansion outside China.
2024Stellantis
Leadership reset begins
Carlos Tavares resigned as CEO after operating pressure and disagreement over strategic direction.
2025Ford
Revenue Growth and Net Loss
Ford reported $187.267B of FY2025 revenue but a net loss of $8.162B, making capital discipline the central investor issue.
2025Stellantis
FY2025 results mark turnaround baseline
Stellantis reported ~$173 billion (EUR 153.508 billion) in net revenues and an ~$25.3 billion (EUR 22.368 billion) loss attributable to owners.
2025Stellantis
Antonio Filosa becomes CEO
Antonio Filosa, a 25-year company veteran who had led the Americas and quality, took up the role of Chief Executive Officer after the board's search following Carlos Tavares's resignation.
2026Ford
Guidance Raised After EV Reset
Ford raised 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance to $10B-$11B in July 2026 despite a $1.3B Q2 net loss driven by BlueOval SK exit charges.
2026Stellantis
FaSTLAne 2030 plan
At its May 21, 2026 investor day Stellantis set out a five-year plan with more than $67.8 billion (EUR 60 billion) of investment and a ~$215 billion (EUR 190 billion) revenue target for 2030.
2026Stellantis
Return to profit in H1 2026
First-half net revenues rose 10% to ~$92.2 billion (EUR 81.6 billion) with a ~$757 million (EUR 0.67 billion) net profit; Q2 net revenues were ~$49.2 billion (EUR 43.5 billion).
Acquisitions
Ford
- Electriphi2021Undisclosed
- Spin2018$100M
- Autonomic2018Undisclosed
- Land Rover2000$2.7B
- Volvo Cars1999$6.5B
- Jaguar Cars1989$2.5B
Stellantis
- Leapmotor (about 21% stake)2023Undisclosed
- Share Now2022Undisclosed
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA merger2021Undisclosed
Questions about Ford vs Stellantis
Who is the CEO of Ford Motor Company and Stellantis N.V.?
Ford Motor Company is led by Jim Farley and Stellantis N.V. is led by Antonio Filosa. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Ford Motor Company founded vs Stellantis N.V.?
Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 — 118 years before Stellantis N.V., which was founded in 2021. Ford Motor Company's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Stellantis N.V..
How many employees does Ford Motor Company have compared to Stellantis N.V.?
Ford Motor Company employs approximately 169,000 people, while Stellantis N.V. employs approximately 258,668. Stellantis N.V. has the larger workforce at 258,668 employees, compared to Ford Motor Company's 169,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Ford Motor Company and Stellantis N.V. headquartered?
Ford Motor Company is headquartered in United States and Stellantis N.V. is headquartered in Netherlands. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Ford Motor Company and Stellantis N.V.?
Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford, Alexander Y. Malcomson. Stellantis N.V. was founded by John Elkann, Carlos Tavares.
Which company has a longer operating history — Ford Motor Company or Stellantis N.V.?
Ford Motor Company has been operating for approximately 123 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Stellantis N.V. has been in operation for around 5 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Ford vs Stellantis overview