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 finest recognized for main Dodge for many of the final decade or so. He is considered 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 car brand. The model did so with autos such because the greater than 700 horsepower Challenger and Charger Hellcat fashions and controversial Challenger Demon drag race automobiles.
Kuniskis can be changed by Chrysler model CEO Christine Feuell, who will lead Ram along with Chrysler, and Matt McAlear, who can be promoted from Dodge’s gross sales result in model CEO and a member of Stellantis’ prime govt workforce. The appointments are efficient June 1, the corporate stated.
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge
The adjustments come as Stellantis carries out a restructuring, together with layoffs and cost cutting. 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 line with Motor intelligence information.
“I need to take the chance to warmly thank Tim for his ardour, dedication and contributions to Stellantis and in defining the imaginative and prescient of the long run electrified Ram and Dodge manufacturers. I want him nicely in his retirement,” Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a release. “I’m assured that Chris will proceed the work of Tim in main the enduring Ram model. Matt will deliver a recent perspective, whereas persevering with to attract on the heritage of our iconic Dodge model and main the transition of the model towards a sustainable future.”
Whereas the corporate didn’t spend money on all-new merchandise for Dodge, Kuniskis, a salesman and marketer, was capable of develop consciousness and gross sales of the model’s Charger, Challenger and Durango autos over time. Dodge typically sparked curiosity by growing V-8 engine performance or saying new “buzz” models.
Kuniskis has been a member of Stellantis’ prime govt workforce for the reason that firm was established by means of 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 embrace 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.
