Tim Kuniskis, head of Fiat Chrysler’s passenger vehicles division in North America, reveals the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat SUV throughout an internet occasion on July 2, 2020.
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DETROIT – Stellantis‘ Dodge and Ram manufacturers CEO Tim Kuniskis is retiring after an almost 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 finest identified 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 vehicles.
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 vehicles.
Kuniskis will probably be changed by Chrysler model CEO Christine Feuell, who will lead Ram along with Chrysler, and Matt McAlear, who will probably be promoted from Dodge’s gross sales result in model CEO and a member of Stellantis’ prime government workforce. The appointments are efficient June 1, the corporate mentioned.
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge
The adjustments come as Stellantis carries out a restructuring, together with layoffs and price reducing. It has struggled with U.S. gross sales, which declined 1.2% final yr in a market that grew 12.3%. The corporate was the one main automaker to report a yearly decline, in keeping 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 spend money on 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 asserting new “buzz” fashions.
Kuniskis has been a member of Stellantis’ prime government workforce for the reason that firm was established via 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 newest in a string of adjustments to the corporate for the reason that automaker was established. Current adjustments have embody a shuffle of Jeep’s prime executives; North America head Mark Stewart leaving to turn out to be CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; and a shakeup late final yr of the corporate’s worldwide operations just like the South America and Asia-Pacific areas, together with China.
