Stellantis sells car-sharing business as CEO Filosa focuses on core auto-making

MILAN, July 28 (Reuters) - Stellantis has agreed to sell its Free2move car-sharing unit to German investment company Mutares, the automaker said on Tuesday, as CEO Antonio Filosa continues efforts to sharpen the group's focus on its core vehicle production.

• In May, the French-Italian automaker unveiled its long-term business plan promising more disciplined capital allocation, a stronger focus on core automotive activities, and partnerships in manufacturing and technology.

• The deal, for which financial terms were not disclosed, is expected to close by the end of the year.

• Free2move offers short- and long-term free-floating car-sharing services through fleets across 14 cities in Europe and the United States.

• "By sharpening our focus on core automotive activities, we strengthen our capacity to deliver long-term performance," Stellantis' head of business development and partnerships, Virgilio Cerutti, said in a statement.

• Created by Peugeot maker PSA in 2016 before its merger with Fiat Chrysler, Free2move was part of former CEO Carlos Tavares' push into mobility services beyond vehicle manufacturing.

• After Stellantis was formed in 2021, the business continued to operate alongside the group's leasing and mobility activities.

• Munich-based Mutares said the acquisition would establish a new platform in the mobility sector and that it intends to continue developing the business, including its transition to battery-electric vehicles.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, editing by Gianluca SemeraroEditing by Tomasz Janowski)