Dive Brief:
- Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell will serve as the new top executive at Ram following the retirement of the truck brand’s current CEO, Timothy Kuniskis, Stellantis announced in a press release Friday.
- Feuell will serve in dual roles as CEO of both the Chrysler and Ram brands, and will continue to lead electrification efforts at Chrysler. The organizational changes are effective June 1.
- In addition, Stellantis appointed Matt McAlear CEO of Dodge, also replacing Kuniskis. McAlear has served as SVP of Dodge/SRT global sales and marketing since August 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Dive Insight:
During his 32-year career with the automaker, Kuniskis was named global head of Alfa Romeo in February 2018 and head of passenger cars for North America in June 2019. He was appointed CEO of Dodge in January 2021 and formally served as head of the Fiat, Jeep and Maserati brands for North America.
“I want to take the opportunity to warmly thank Tim (Kuniskis) for his passion, commitment and contributions to Stellantis and in defining the vision of the future electrified Ram and Dodge brands. I wish him well in his retirement,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares in a statement. “I am confident that Chris will continue the work of Tim in leading the iconic Ram brand.”
Feuell was appointed Chrysler brand CEO in September 2021. Prior to Stellantis, she was chief commercial officer at Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions.
The new executive appointments follow several other high-profile changes at the automaker. In January, Stellantis announced that Carlos Zarlenga would replace Mark Stewart as the company’s chief operating officer for North America, effective Feb. 1. The company did not explain the reason for Stewart’s departure, but he has since joined Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. as its new CEO.
Like other automakers, Stellantis is planning its transition toward electrification while simultaneously trying to boost its profits. The automaker reported last month that first quarter revenue fell 12% year over year to 41.7 billion euros.
In North America alone, volumes were reduced by 20%, or nearly 100,000 units, as the company prepares its U.S. manufacturing operations to produce next-generation vehicles. However, the company expects that new product launches will help to drive growth in the second half of 2024.
Stellantis plans to launch 25 new or refreshed vehicles in 2024, 18 of which will be battery electric.
