Xavier Chardon

Xavier Chardon has been appointed DS Automobiles Chief Executive from 1 September 2026, adding the role to his existing position as Chief Executive of Citroën. He succeeds Xavier Peugeot, who moves to head the Jeep brand in Europe while retaining responsibility for Stellantis Heritage; both report to Emanuele Cappellano, Chief Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe.

Chardon spent his early career at Citroën across Italy, Denmark and Germany, becoming Managing Director of Citroën France in 2009. After a decade at Volkswagen, where he led European sales and later the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture’s sales and marketing, he returned to Stellantis as Chief Executive of Citroën on 2 June 2025.

In a statement, Chardon said: “Our ambition is clear: to build on the foundations already in place, make DS N°7 a success, and reinforce the desirability, uniqueness and longevity of DS Automobiles.” He described the dual leadership structure as an opportunity to strengthen each brand’s individual character while drawing on their complementary resources.

DS Automobiles is currently launching the DS N°7, characterised in the release as the first replacement of its best-selling model since the brand’s creation. The brand’s portfolio spans fully electric, plug-in hybrid and self-charging hybrid variants across the DS 3, N°4, N°7 and N°8 range.

Placing DS and Citroën under a single chief executive concentrates brand management within Stellantis’ Enlarged Europe structure. The dual mandate raises questions about how genuinely independent two brands with distinct positioning can remain when accountability sits with one executive.

Source: Stellantis