Stellantis strengthens its European Design organization with two appointments

Effective November 2, 2026, Stellantis is strengthening its European Design organisation with two appointments supporting its brands’ design strategies and the Group’s long-term ambitions.

AMSTERDAM, November 02, 2026 – As part of these changes:

• Sandeep Bhambra is appointed Head of Design for the Citroën and DS Automobiles brands. He succeeds Pierre Leclercq at Citroën and Thierry Metroz at DS Automobiles, respectively. He will report to Gilles Vidal, Head of Design for Stellantis’ European brands, and will join the leadership teams of Citroën and DS Automobiles, under the responsibility of Xavier Chardon, CEO of both brands.
   
• Pierre Leclercq is appointed Head of Design for Opel and Vauxhall. He succeeds Mark Adams. He will report to Gilles Vidal and join the Executive Committee under the responsibility of Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel & Vauxhall.

• Mark Adams will retire, after nearly 25 years with Opel and Vauxhall.
• Thierry Metroz will support Gilles Vidal on Design strategy for Europe.

These appointments build on the Design strategy led by Gilles Vidal, across Stellantis’ European brands, with a focus on strengthening each brand’s distinctive identity and desirability through bold creativity and distinctive design languages. They support the ambitions of Stellantis’ FaSTLane 2030 strategic plan by contributing to the development of compelling products that combine each brand’s unique character with innovation, emotion and customer appeal.

“These changes reflect the wealth of talent within our organisation and our determination to shape the future of Design for our European brands.

Sandeep Bhambra and Pierre Leclercq will each bring their international experience, creativity and strategic vision to further develop strong, distinctive and immediately recognisable brand identities.

I would also like to warmly thank Mark Adams for his commitment and contribution to the development of Opel and Vauxhall Design. His work has helped shape the identity of both brands over the years, and I wish him all the very best for this new chapter.

Finally, I would like to thank Thierry Metroz for his talent, passion and contribution to DS Automobiles Design. His experience and vision will be valuable in his new strategic assignments for Design in Europe,” said Gilles Vidal, Head of Design, Stellantis European Brands

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Sandeep Bhambra

A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pune in India, with a Master’s degree in Transportation Design from Strate in France, Sandeep Bhambra began his career in the automotive industry in 2003 with Mahindra & Mahindra in India. He then continued his career in Design, notably with Tata Technologies and Tata Motors in India and the United Kingdom.

In 2010, he joined Peugeot Design in Vélizy as an Exterior Designer. Over more than ten years, he contributed to the development of numerous production vehicles, concept cars and Advanced Design projects, including the second-generation Peugeot 2008 and 5008, the Peugeot Onyx concept, early-stage work on the third-generation Peugeot 3008, as well as the Citroën Ami.

In 2021, he joined Renault Group as Chief Designer, Advanced Design & Concept Cars. He contributed to defining Renault’s Design strategy and led several concept car and Advanced Design projects. In 2025, he also took responsibility for the Renault India Design Studio.

Since April 2026, Sandeep Bhambra has served as Vice President Design Strategy Europe at Stellantis.

Pierre Leclercq

Pierre Leclercq graduated from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, in 1998. He began his career at Ford’s Ghia design studio in Italy before joining BMW Group in 2000. Over the following decade, he worked across BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, before being appointed Head of Design for BMW M, the brand’s high-performance division, in 2011.

He subsequently pursued an international career, becoming Head of Design at Great Wall Motors in China in 2013, before joining Kia Motors in South Korea as Design Director in 2017. On November 1, 2018, he became Head of Citroën Design.

Since then, Pierre Leclercq has helped shape a renewed design identity for the Citroën line-up. He has led the design of a broad range of models and concepts, including the 2 CV and 2 CV Fourgonnette concepts unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, ELO and OLI, the new C3, C3 Aircross and Basalt, the new Ami, C4 and C4 X, and the new C5 Aircross.

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About Stellantis

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com

For more information, contact:

Alessandro NARDIZZI – alessandro.nardizzi@stellantis.com

communications@stellantis.com
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