A new CEO is taking over one of the largest car importers in the country. Gili Pariente will soon replace Shay Feldman as CEO of Samelet.
Samelet, controlled by the Levy family, is one of the two importers in the country for the Stellantis Group and holds the franchises for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler. In addition, it imports the Chinese Leapmotor, for which Stellantis holds marketing and production rights outside China. Samelet is also the importer of Subaru, the Chinese Hongqi, and Ferrari, and in the commercial sector, it imports Iveco trucks and buses and operates in the charging sector. In 2025, Samelet delivered approximately 7,800 vehicles across all brands.
Pariente (50) has served in the past two years as CEO of the Metro Motor Group, the country’s largest two-wheeled vehicle importer. Before that, he held executive positions in leading Israeli companies in the two-wheeled transportation sector. Previously, he served as Vice President of Colmobil and Head of the Luxury Division, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Israel, CEO of Hyundai, and CEO of the group’s trade-in operations. Before entering the automotive industry, Pariente held a series of senior positions at the Bezeq Group, the last of which was Director of the Business Customer Division at Pelephone. Pariente holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance and an international master’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from New York University.
Among the challenges awaiting the new CEO are introducing Leapmotor into a market crowded with Chinese electric brands, maintaining Subaru’s position which has yet to launch any hybrid model in the country, renewing the import of private Fiat models that was frozen after the discontinuation of the electric 500 marketing, and realizing the potential of Jeep in Israel, in a market that has shifted to SUVs.
Omer Levy, Chairman of the Samelet Group, stated, “Gili brings with him extensive managerial experience, a deep understanding of the Israeli automotive market, and proven capabilities in leading leading brands to significant achievements. I am confident that his skills and vast experience, both in luxury sectors and the communications market, will help Samelet continue its growth momentum and lead the group to new heights in the coming years. On this occasion, I would like to thank Shay Feldman for seven years of fruitful work and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Gili Pariente, incoming CEO of Samelet: “I am assuming this role with a great sense of responsibility, out of appreciation for the work built here over the years and the company’s strong foundation. Together with the company’s management and staff, we will work to continue strengthening core operations, improving processes, and realizing opportunities in a measured and deliberate manner, while maintaining the company’s values and commitment to customers and partners.”