What Company Owns Chrysler? A Closer Look. | The Motley Fool (2024)

Chrysler, founded by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, is a quintessential American automotive brand known for its innovations in engineering, design, and overall car performance. Over its history, Chrysler has experienced several ownership changes, including mergers with Daimler-Benz and Fiat, that have taken ownership and control out of the U.S.

So, who owns Chrysler now? With all the ownership changes over its history, it can get confusing.

Overview

Who is the owner of Chrysler?

Over the years, Chrysler has undergone several ownership changes, reflecting the ever-changing nature of the automotive industry. Today, Stellantis N.V. (STLA -4.63%) owns Chrysler. Stellantis is a multinational automotive group formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French automaker Groupe PSA.

Stellantis was established in January 2021, resulting from the merger between FCA and Groupe PSA. The merger created one of the world's largest and most diversified automotive companies, with a broad portfolio of brands and a solid presence in various markets.

Stellantis N.V. is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Euronext Paris, and the Borsa Italiana in Milan. While Chrysler makes money in the production of vehicles, Stellantis has its hands in all things automotive, from technology that powers electric cars to auto parts. The share structure at Sellantis works as follows.

Largest shareholders

Who are the largest shareholders?

Stellantis has two types of shares: common shares that are available to the public through stock exchanges and special voting shares. The structure allows major stakeholders to wield significant voting power and influence over the company's decisions. It's commonly found when companies seek capital, while founders or key investors aim to retain control.

Ordinary shares (STLA)

These shares are publicly traded on several stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker STLA, along with Euronext Paris and Borsa Italiana in Milan. Each ordinary share carries voting rights, allowing the shareholder to vote at the company's general meetings and receive dividends distributed by Stellantis. These shares are accessible to retail and institutional investors.

Special voting shares

Special voting shares aren't publicly traded and are held by certain long-term shareholders to provide additional voting power. This arrangement allows these shareholders to exert greater influence over corporate decisions and strategic directions.

Key holders of Stellantis' special voting shares are part of a loyalty voting structure designed to reward long-term shareholders with additional voting rights, enhancing their influence on company decisions. Key holders of these special voting shares include Peugeot 1810 and Exor N.V.

Individuals

John Elkann: As the chairman of Stellantis and CEO of Exor N.V., John Elkann holds substantial influence within the company. He manages the Agnelli family's stake through Exor. Exor, the investment company controlled by the Agnelli family, holds a 14.2% economic interest and 23.2% of the voting rights in Stellantis.

Robert Peugeot: Representing the Peugeot family, Robert Peugeot holds a significant stake and plays a crucial role in the governance of Stellantis. The Peugeot family, through their investment company Peugeot 1810, owns a 7.44% stake in Stellantis, translating to substantial voting influence.

Institutional Investors

Bpifrance Participations: The French state investment bank holds a 6.39% stake in Stellantis, ensuring significant influence from the French government.

Peugeot 1810: The investment vehicle for the Peugeot family, holding a 7.44% stake, thus maintaining their historical influence over the company.

Vanguard Group: One of the largest asset management companies globally, Vanguard Group owns approximately 2.78% of Stellantis, reflecting significant investment through various index funds and ETFs.

BlackRock (BLK -0.8%): Another leading global asset manager, BlackRock, holds around 2.5% of Stellantis, underscoring its influence through widespread investments across its managed funds.

Board of directors

Board of directors

Stellantis' board of directors includes leaders from both FCA and Groupe PSA. Key members include:

How to invest

How to invest in Chrysler

Investing in Chrysler is effectively done by investing in Stellantis N.V., the parent company. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Open a brokerage account

Choose a reliable brokerage and open an account to buy stock in Stellantis. that offers access to international markets and open an account. You can buy shares through the New York Stock Exchange. If your brokerage provides access to international markets, you could also buy shares through Euronext Paris or Borsa Italiana.

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Step 2: Decide your budget

Determine the amount of capital you are willing to invest in Stellantis. Consider your risk tolerance and investment goals before making your budget.

Step 3: Do your research

Analyze Stellantis' financial statements, market position, and industry trends. Understanding the macroeconomic factors affecting the automotive industry will help in making an informed decision.

Step 4: Place an order

Once your brokerage account is set up and you have completed your research, place an order to buy Stellantis shares by entering the ticker STLA. You can also invest through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that include Stellantis as part of their holdings.

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