According to CNBC, renowned Stellantis executive Tim Kuniskis is rejoining the carmaker with immediate effect.
Two sources familiar with the decision said Kuniskis, who resigned from the carmaker in May, will once again be in charge of the Ram Trucks brand. According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the move, the company’s leadership team informed staff members of the decision earlier Monday.
He returned about a week after Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, abruptly left the company due to issues with its North American market.
“The adjustments made today will allow us to function in a way that will maximize results for the area, unleash substantial potential, and succeed in the marketplace. “Having a CEO who is solely focused on the Ram brand is a key lever,” the business stated in an email confirming the appointment.
Before retiring, Kuniskis, who has managed a number of the automaker’s North American brands, was in charge of the Ram and Dodge brands.
Perhaps Kuniskis’ most well-known role was as Dodge’s leader for the most of the previous ten or so years. He is regarded as “the unofficial spokesman” for American muscle vehicles and the “father” of Dodge’s high-performance Hellcat models.
Dodge restored its reputation as the archetypal American muscle car manufacturer during his leadership. The company accomplished this with automobiles like the contentious Challenger Demon drag racing cars and the Challenger and Charger Hellcat variants, which have over 700 horsepower. He also unveiled the Ram TRX pickup truck, which was powered by Hellcat.
Along with a number of other adjustments to the automaker’s North American business, Kuniskis’ return was announced. Jeff Kommor will only be in charge of North American sales; Larry Dominique, who was in charge of Alfa Romeo for North America, will go; and Chris Feuell, who had been in charge of the Ram and Chrysler brands, will now be in charge of Chrysler and Alfa Romeo.
Under Tavares’ direction, Stellantis’ U.S. sales suffered even as the market as a whole grew. Through the third quarter, the company’s sales decreased by 17% year over year, with Ram’s sales declining by 24%.
