DS AUTOMOBILES APPOINTS EUGENIO FRANZETTI AS DIRECTOR OF DS PERFORMANCE

DS AUTOMOBILES APPOINTS

EUGENIO FRANZETTI AS DIRECTOR OF DS PERFORMANCE

• After announcing its partnership with PENSKE AUTOSPORT and the arrival of world champion Stoffel Vandoorne alongside double champion Jean-Eric Vergne, DS embarks on a new chapter in its Formula E history
• On the eve of the competitive debut of the new GEN3 car, DS Italy director Eugenio Franzetti is announced as director of DS Performance
• Now at the head of the brand’s competition division, his mission will be to promote the performance of the third generation DS E-TENSE single seater and lead the team to new titles

A new era is about to start for DS Automobiles and its motorsport division.

Having announced its partnership with PENSKE AUTOSPORT on 12 October and the arrival of reigning Formula E world champion Stoffel Vandoorne alongside Jean-Eric Vergne, the French outfit has named Eugenio Franzetti as director of DS Performance.

Eugenio Franzetti is vastly experienced in the motorsport world and spent most of his career with the Stellantis group. He has successively been communications and competitions director for Peugeot in Italy, director of communications for DS Automobiles/Citroën/Peugeot in Italy, director of sales for Citroën in Italy, and subsequently director of communications for Peugeot in Italy before becoming Italy’s director of the DS brand.

From 1 November 2022, Eugenio Franzetti will officially take charge of the global competitive division of DS Automobiles and will work in close collaboration with PENSKE AUTOSPORT to enhance the profile of the DS PENSKE Formula E Team and promote the know-how and expertise of DS Automobiles.

Eugenio Franzetti succeeds Thomas Chevaucher, who in turn will be responsible for technical development and exploitation of the Formula E programme for Stellantis Motorsport.

Eugenio Franzetti, director of DS Performance:

“Joining the DS Performance team is a dream come true! I have been passionate about motorsport since I was a child and to be able to turn my passion into my job is a great opportunity for me. I look forward to working closely with our great champions, Stoffel and JEV, building up a strong partnership with PENSKE AUTOSPORT, highlighting our future victories, and showcasing the technologies developed by DS Performance thanks to this magnificent world championship.”

Béatrice Foucher, CEO, DS Automobiles:

“I am pleased to welcome Eugenio Franzetti to head up the DS Performance team. His knowledge of the brand in his previous management role leading DS Italy, coupled with his experience in marketing, communication and motorsport, are all assets that will contribute to the strengthening of the DS name and influence in Formula E. DS Performance is a true open air laboratory for us, and a valuable tool to develop our 100 per cent electric strategy and the competitiveness of our cars. Eugenio will be responsible for leading DS Performance into this new phase of acceleration in collaboration with Thomas Chevaucher, technical director of the FE programme at Stellantis.”

Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP, Stellantis Motorsport:

“The appointment of Eugenio Franzetti strengthens DS Performance and its partnership with PENSKE AUTOSPORT. Eugenio embodies the DS Automobiles brand through everything he has achieved previously. His extensive experience in communications and marketing, as well as his expertise in high-level motorsport will allow him to showcase the brand’s technological and operational excellence, the platform from which Thomas Chevaucher will focus on developing further success.”

DS Automobiles key numbers in Formula E:

• 89 races
• 4 championship titles
• 15 victories
• 44 podiums
• 21 pole positions

PRESS CONTACTS:

Krystyna Perry - 07710 062783 - krystyna.perry@stellantis.com - PR Manager  

Kristian Cholmondeley – 07831 315892 – kristian.cholmondeley@stellantis.com – Head of PR  

Jeremy Townsend – 07827 896480 – jeremy.townsend@stellantis.com – UK Communications Director 

ABOUT DS AUTOMOBILES

Driven by the spirit of the avant-garde and backed by an exceptional heritage, the DS brand, born in 2014, aims to embody the French art of travel. Remarkable products, discernible French luxury savoir-faire, coupled with a suite of bespoke services, DS Automobiles offers a unique experience before, during and after every journey.

Designed for customers looking to stand out who want to travel the world and enjoy every moment, DS models combine refinement and technology. With new DS 3, DS 4, new DS 7 and DS 9, the DS brand offers a global range.

Based on numerous records since its entry into Formula E in 2015, including double Teams’ and Drivers’ titles, DS Automobiles is at the forefront of electrification by already selling each of its models with an electrified version. Under the E-TENSE label, DS Automobiles offers 100 per cent electric powertrains as well as plug-in hybrids with up to 360hp and four-wheel drive. From 2024, every new model launched by DS Automobiles will be 100 per cent electric.

For its discerning customers, DS Automobiles has crafted a suite of exclusive services, called “ONLY YOU, a wealth of attention.”

With a presence in 41 countries, the DS brand has created and is developing an exclusive distribution network that includes 400 DS STORE throughout the world.

Follow news from DS Automobiles on www.DSautomobiles.co.uk  @DS_UK

ABOUT PENSKE AUTOSPORT

PENSKE AUTOSPORT is an American racing team founded in 2007 by Jay Penske. The team is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the largest single metropolitan EV market in the world.

After many successful years competing in IndyCar (2007-2014), the team embraced the shift to electric mobility and became one of the founding teams of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The team motto is the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” – meaning “out of many, there is one.” 

DS PERFORMANCE COMMUNICATION   - 19 ALLEE DES MARRONNIERS 78000 VERSAILLES  

                                                                                                            dsperformance@dsautomobiles.com