DETROIT, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Automaker Stellantis

achieved its goal of cutting U.S. inventories by more

than 100,000 vehicles late last year, its North American chief

said on Friday at the Detroit Auto Show.

Antonio Filosa, who has led the carmaker's North American

operations since last October, detailed efforts to turn around a

slumping regional business in the wake of former CEO Carlos

Tavares' abrupt departure.

He said the company had made a "very big improvement" in

working down bloated inventories on dealer lots by offering huge

discounts to consumers. "That cost us a lot, but was needed," he

added.

In September, Stellantis ( STLA ) publicly targeted dealer inventory

of no more than 330,000 vehicles by year end.

Tavares resigned on Dec. 1, almost 18 months before his

contract was set to end, amid growing concern from suppliers,

auto dealers, shareholders and the automaker's board about its

North American strategy.

Until the board picks a new CEO, an interim executive

committee led by board Chairman John Elkann is running the

automaker, which has 14 brands including Jeep and Ram in the

United States and Fiat and Peugeot in Europe.

Filosa is seen as a leading candidate to become the next

CEO.

Tavares' aggressive pricing strategy contributed to rising

inventories and plummeting sales in North America, traditionally

the automaker's profit powerhouse.

Filosa said the next CEO will have to be nimble to address a

variety of challenges, including uncertain EV demand and steep

technological challenges. Automakers could be flexible in

responding to shifting consumer demand with platforms to produce

EVs, hybrids and fuel-powered vehicles, he said.

Stellantis ( STLA ) and other U.S. automakers could face serious new

challenges if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump makes good on

threats to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada.

The carmaker produces some of its popular Jeep and Ram vehicles

in Mexico and imports them into the United States.