José Asumendi

José Asumendi asked how Ferrari plans to maintain margin stability amidst significant investments in new products like the Elettrica and infrastructure such as the paint shop and e-building.

Answer

Benedetto Vigna (CEO) explained that the long-term guarantee for margin stability and sustainability lies in continuous, unique innovation across performance, engineering, design, and manufacturing processes. He stressed the importance of effectively communicating these innovations to clients to ensure their value is recognized.

José Asumendi asked how Ferrari plans to maintain margin stability, considering significant investments in new products like the Elettrica and facilities such as the paint shop, by identifying offsetting elements and post-issue contributions.

Answer

CEO Benedetto Vigna explained that in uncertain times, the primary method to ensure long-term sustainability and margin stability is continuous innovation, offering unique products in performance, engineering, design, and manufacturing (e.g., e-building, paint shop). He stressed the importance of clearly explaining innovation content to clients, as uniqueness is the best guarantee for long-term sustainability.

José Asumendi inquired about the expected balance between positive mix/price and negative cost impacts in the second half of the year, and also asked for commentary on the medium-term capital expenditure outlook.

Answer

CFO Antonio Picca Piccon projected that for the full year, mix and price would be a positive driver, while industrial costs and R&D would be a smaller negative than initially expected. SG&A will remain a headwind due to launch events. CEO Benedetto Vigna affirmed that CapEx is proceeding exactly as planned according to the strategy laid out three years ago, with further details to be shared at the Capital Markets Day.

José Asumendi asked about the interplay between new product launches, improved production capacity utilization, and ultimately enhancing pricing power, looking at both short-term and longer-term implications. He also inquired about the key levers for improving free cash generation in the second half of the year, specifically if there's an opportunity to generate cash and how the levers compare to the first half.

Answer

CEO Antonio Filosa highlighted the return to top-line growth and favorable pricing after several quarters of decline, attributing it to correcting past strategic decisions and filling product gaps with high-volume, profitable products like the Ram 1500 V8, Dodge IZ engine muscle cars, and Jeep Cherokee. CFO Joao Larangeira stated that the primary driver for free cash flow improvement in the second half is volume growth in North America, emphasizing the importance of continued savings and volume improvements.

José Asumendi asked about the integration of new product launches and refreshes in North America with production capacity utilization and pricing power, looking into 2026. He also inquired about the key levers for improving free cash generation in the second half of 2025 and the potential for positive cash generation.

Answer

CEO Antonio Filosa highlighted the return to top-line growth and favorable pricing after several quarters of decline, attributing it to correcting past strategic decisions and fulfilling product lineups with customer-desired products like the Ram 1500 Hemi V8, Dodge Charger IZ, and Jeep Cherokee. CFO Joao Larangeira stated that volume growth in North America is the primary driver for free cash flow improvement in the second half.

José Asumendi of JPMorgan Chase & Co. inquired about Stellantis's strategy to improve profitability in the U.S. market, specifically asking for levers beyond volume growth, such as capacity adjustments or restructuring.

Answer

CEO Antonio Filosa detailed a four-pronged approach to enhance U.S. profitability. He highlighted the launch of margin-accretive products like the V8 Ram, leveraging new regulations for a better ICE/EV sales mix, capitalizing on healthier inventory for improved net pricing on new models, and implementing comprehensive production cost reduction programs.

José Asumendi sought reassurance on the company's liquidity position, asking how management thinks about its cash levels, net cash, and refinancing needs. He also asked for an update on the full-year cash generation outlook, referencing previous comments that H2 would be positive but not offset the H1 outflow.

Answer

CFO Doug Ostermann reiterated the company's target of maintaining liquidity of 25-30% of trailing twelve months' revenue, confirming they remain within this range and have a 'Fortress balance sheet.' He noted that Stellantis had already issued new debt in H1 to cover 2025 maturities. Ostermann stated that a full update on the industrial free cash flow outlook and re-established guidance would be provided on the July 29th call.

José Asumendi requested commentary on Stellantis's liquidity position, including how management assesses it and its refinancing needs. He also asked if the previous expectation for positive second-half cash flow was still intact or if new headwinds had emerged.

Answer

CFO Doug Ostermann reassured that Stellantis maintains a 'Fortress balance sheet' and aims for liquidity of 25-30% of trailing twelve months' revenue, a range it remains within despite the H1 cash outflow. He confirmed the company has already issued new debt to cover 2025 maturities. However, he deferred providing an updated outlook on H2 industrial free cash flow until the company reestablishes guidance on the July 29th call.

José Asumendi asked for commentary on the company's liquidity position, including how management thinks about its adequacy in terms of cash levels and refinancing needs. He also sought an update on the full-year cash generation outlook, referencing previous comments that positive cash flow in H2 would not fully offset the H1 outflow.

Answer

CFO Doug Ostermann reassured that Stellantis maintains a strong balance sheet, aiming for liquidity of 25% to 30% of trailing twelve months' revenue, a range it remains within despite the H1 cash burn. He noted that the company has already issued new debt in both U.S. and European markets to cover 2025 maturities. He confirmed that a full update on the industrial free cash flow outlook and re-established guidance would be provided on the July 29th call.

Requested commentary on the company's liquidity position to provide comfort to investors and asked for an update on the full-year cash flow outlook, specifically whether H2 would be positive enough to offset the H1 outflow.

Answer

The CFO affirmed the company's strong liquidity, which remains within their target of 25-30% of revenues, supported by a 'Fortress balance sheet' and recent successful debt issuance. He stated the goal is to generate positive industrial free cash flow in H2 but deferred providing specific guidance until the July 29th call.

Jose Asumendi of JPMorgan Chase & Co. asked for details on discussions with U.S. authorities regarding tariffs and inquired about the profit contribution from the BBAC joint venture in China, including the status of planned capacity adjustments.

Answer

CEO Ola Kallenius stated that discussions with the U.S. administration are ongoing and constructive but declined to share specifics, emphasizing Mercedes-Benz's significant and long-standing presence in the U.S. CFO Harald Wilhelm added that the BBAC joint venture's contribution was at a slightly lower level, but efficiency measures and capacity adjustments are actively being implemented to protect profitability, with effects already visible in Q1 results.

Jose Asumendi from JPMorgan Chase & Co. inquired about the specifics of Mercedes-Benz's discussions with U.S. authorities regarding tariffs and the potential for mitigation. He also asked for details on the BBAC joint venture's profit contribution in China and the timing of planned capacity adjustments.

Answer

CEO Ola Kallenius stated that while constructive discussions with U.S. officials are ongoing, he could not disclose details, emphasizing Mercedes-Benz's long-standing investment in the U.S. CFO Harald Wilhelm explained that the BBAC result was at a lower level and that efficiency measures are actively being implemented, with the effects reflected in the Q1 numbers.

Jose Asumendi from JPMorgan Chase & Co. questioned the company's strategy for meeting European CO2 emission targets in 2025 if BEV demand remains sluggish. He also asked for the company's assumptions regarding deliveries and powertrain mix in China for the second half of the year.

Answer

CEO Ola Kallenius stated that Mercedes-Benz will need to and will take a step up in its xEV share in Europe for 2025, with pooling solutions being a potential backup. He highlighted that the BEV ramp-up will accelerate significantly with the launch of the MMA platform in 2025 and the MBEA platform (electric C-Class/GLC) in 2026. CFO Harald Wilhelm added that for China in H2, the company maintains a cautious view with sales expected to be roughly at H1 levels and no significant change in the powertrain mix anticipated before the new product launches.

José Asumendi of JPMorgan Chase & Co. asked for a quantification of missed deliveries in Q1 due to supply bottlenecks and for specific examples of how these issues are easing. He also inquired about the company's BEV market share in China and its strategy for the regional powertrain mix going forward.

Answer

Executive Harald Wilhelm identified product availability, particularly for the E-Class, as the primary volume constraint in Q1. Regarding China's EV share, he stated the company follows customer demand rather than pushing products excessively, maintaining a stable global xEV share guidance of 19-21%. He emphasized that future EV growth will be driven by upcoming models in key segments, such as the MMA platform in 2025 and the electric C-Class and GLC in 2026.