Sept 7 (Reuters) - The new chief executive of carmaker

Stellantis ( STLA ) has urged the European Union to show

flexibility on the transition to electric vehicles in order to

protect the auto industry.

"A strategic dialogue is very important, but now it's vital to

act with urgency. There is no time for delays," said Antonio

Filosa, who became Stellantis ( STLA ) CEO in June.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to

host automotive sector executives on September 12 to discuss the

future of the sector, which is facing twin threats of Chinese

competition in electric vehicles and U.S. tariffs.

Filosa, head of a group whose brands include Fiat, Alfa

Romeo, Peugeot, Chrysler, Jeep, and Opel, called on the European

Commission to support the sale of cars such as hybrids to bring

down the average age of vehicles on the road.

"A European policy that encourages the replacement of older

cars with new cars and a wider choice of powertrains would have

a greater impact on global CO2 emissions than the annual new car

market does," he said in a joint interview with Italy's Il Sole

24 Ore and France's Les Echos.

Filosa said the Light Commercial Vehicle sector was facing

an emergency and added that the period over which CO2 emissions

in the category were calculated should be extended to five years

from three.

He also sought to dismiss speculation that Stellantis ( STLA ) could

seek a buyer for Maserati as he reviews its brand portfolio.

"I want to make it clear that Maserati is not for sale, but

we need to understand which products to develop and which

long-term strategy to adopt for one of our most iconic brands,"

he said.

(Writing by Keith Weir

Editing by Tomasz Janowski)