Tim Kuniskis, head of Fiat Chrysler’s passenger automobiles division in North America, reveals the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat SUV throughout a web-based occasion on July 2, 2020.
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DETROIT – Stellantis‘ Dodge and Ram manufacturers CEO Tim Kuniskis is retiring after a virtually 32-year profession with the automaker and its predecessors, the corporate introduced Friday.
Kuniskis, who has led a number of of the carmaker’s manufacturers in North America, is greatest recognized for main Dodge for a lot of the final decade or so. He’s thought-about the “father” of Dodge’s high-performance Hellcat fashions and “the unofficial spokesman” for American muscle automobiles.
Throughout his tenure, Dodge reestablished itself as a quintessential American muscle automotive model. The model did so with automobiles such because the greater than 700 horsepower Challenger and Charger Hellcat fashions and controversial Challenger Demon drag race automobiles.
Kuniskis will likely be changed by Chrysler model CEO Christine Feuell, who will lead Ram along with Chrysler, and Matt McAlear, who will likely be promoted from Dodge’s gross sales result in model CEO and a member of Stellantis’ high govt crew. The appointments are efficient June 1, the corporate mentioned.
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge
The modifications come as Stellantis carries out a restructuring, together with layoffs and value chopping. It has struggled with U.S. gross sales, which declined 1.2% final 12 months in a market that grew 12.3%. The corporate was the one main automaker to report a yearly decline, in line with Motor intelligence information.
“I want to take the opportunity to warmly thank Tim 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,” Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares mentioned in a launch. “I am confident that Chris will continue the work of Tim in leading the iconic Ram brand. Matt will bring a fresh perspective, while continuing to draw on the heritage of our iconic Dodge brand and leading the transition of the brand toward a sustainable future.”
Whereas the corporate didn’t put money into all-new merchandise for Dodge, Kuniskis, a salesman and marketer, was in a position to develop consciousness and gross sales of the model’s Charger, Challenger and Durango automobiles over time. Dodge typically sparked curiosity by growing V-8 engine efficiency or saying new “buzz” fashions.
Kuniskis has been a member of Stellantis’ high govt crew for the reason that firm was established by a merger of Fiat Chrysler and French automaker PSA Groupe in January 2021. He additionally served on the highest board for Fiat Chrysler, beneath late CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Kuniskis’ departure is the most recent in a string of modifications to the corporate for the reason that automaker was established. Current modifications have embrace a shuffle of Jeep’s high executives; North America head Mark Stewart leaving to develop into CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; and a shakeup late final 12 months of the corporate’s worldwide operations just like the South America and Asia-Pacific areas, together with China.
