Comau, the Italy-based automation division of automaker Stellantis - the new multinational formed in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and Peugeot (PSA) merged - has announced the appointment of Pietro Gorlier as Chief Executive Officer, effective as of 1 April.

The appointment comes amid what appears to be a delay in the planned spinoff of Comau, which was originally a Fiat Chrysler business unit and was supposed to be spun off even before FCA and PSA merged. Back in 2020, FCA had announced that Comau would be listed and appointed Paolo Carmassi as CEO to oversee the IPO. However, the merger with PSA came and went in January 2021, and Comau's spinoff took a back seat in the shuffle, while Reuters reported that Carmassi was leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Gorlier, the new CEO, comes from parent company Stellantis, where he served as global Chief Parts and Services Officer. Prior to the merger, he held several senior leadership roles at Fiat Chrysler, including President and CEO of the parts, service and customer care division, and before that COO of the Europe, Africa, and Middle East operations. He was formerly CEO of automotive components manufacturer Magneti Marelli.

According to the Comau announcement, Gorlier's appointment is meant to advance the company's strategic business objectives, presumably in the run-up to its spinoff and once that separation has been completed. However, neither Stellantis nor Comau has confirmed any timeline for the spinoff.