PARIS, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Stellantis ( STLA ) CEO

Carlos Tavares on Monday declined to rule out job cuts and said

keeping up with Chinese competition and staying profitable would

require a huge effort, potentially including plant closures or

offloading brands.

"We will need to make big efforts", Tavares told French

radio station RTL, adding that it was up to the conglomerate's

customers to decide which brands had a future and which may be

divested.

"It's the clients, not me, but there is no taboo."

Tavares also said the company's problems with the U.S.

market, the main reason for its recent profit warning, should be

fixed by the end of the year.

"It's essentially a problem of excessive inventories," said

Tavares, adding: "I think I can safely say that the problem will

be solved before Christmas 2024."