The news of John’s entry on the board of directors of Meta, the holding company he controls Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, it went around the world. A surprise move that brings the president of Stellantis into one of the most important technology companies in the world.
“John is the CEO of Exor and president of two of Exor’s auto portfolio businesses, Stellar and Ferrari. He has deep experience managing large global companies and brings an international perspective to our board” Zuckerberg wrote in his post and shortly after came Elkann’s response “I look forward to bringing my global experience and my long-term perspective on the board as Meta continues to shape and push the next frontiers of innovation and technology.”
Future prospects
Elkann, currently head of the Executive Committee of Stellantis after the resignation of Carlos Tavares, waiting to find a new CEO, also holds the position of CEO of Exor, the financial holding through which he controls Stellantis, Ferrari and other companies such as the Juventus football team and various newspapers. Its entry into Meta can therefore be read as a new opening towards new opportunities collaborations which may not directly concern Stellantis. But it’s not said.
First of all there is the discussion on artificial intelligence, a great protagonist of recent years. In recent months Meta has released Llama 3.3latest version of the chatbot, competitor of ChatGPT. We are still far from science fiction realities, but we know well how the automotive world is also strongly attracted and interested in AI in general. First of all for the infotainment system of the most recent models, including the management of electric powertrains. A topic that also interests Stellantis and Ferrari and having their president on the board of directors of a technology giant could bring benefits in this sense.
Of course, Stellantis, Ferrari and Meta remain realities in their own right and are not there shareholdings in sight, but taking on the role of president of the former and member of the board of directors of the latter can certainly lead to future collaborations, enjoying a privileged channel in learning about various innovations in the technological field before anyone else.
The DS models were the first from the Stellantis Group to integrate ChatGPT
Another point of interest is represented by augmented reality, virtual and metaverse (the latter currently proving to be a flop). Exor could benefit from direct access to Meta’s technologies, both once again for info-telematics systems – think of the moderni head-up display which project increasingly detailed information onto the windshield – both for Configurator increasingly immersive. High-level customers like those of Ferrari could – wearing visors – find themselves face to face with the digital version of their future car, being able to configure every aspect of the exterior and interior in real time.
However, there are those who fear that Elkann’s new role could mean forever greater disinterest towards the automotive world, also in light of the negative results of Stellantis. Now, beyond the plan presented at the end of the year by the Group, in which Italy is at the centre, the operational role falls to the CEO, therefore to whoever will replace Carlos Tavares. Elkann’s appointment as a member of Meta’s board of directors will therefore not affect his role as president of the Group.
