The two European automakers join U.S. rivals General Motors (NYSE: GM ) and Ford (NYSE: F ) in promising more capital to shareholders. For Stellantis, the cash return was a relief after agreeing big pay increases to end a prolonged strike by workers in North America last year, which knocked second-half profits. CEO Carlos Tavares told reporters Stellantis' North American performance in 2023 was "not stellar" as the automaker "wasted" money on discount offers and lost market share.