Dodge and Ram boss Tim Kuniskis, father of the Hellcat, to retire from Stellantis

News

Tim Kuniskis, head of Fiat Chrysler’s passenger cars division in North America, reveals the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat SUV during an online event on July 2, 2020.
Screenshot

DETROIT – Stellantis‘ Dodge and Ram brands CEO Tim Kuniskis is retiring after a nearly 32-year career with the automaker and its predecessors, the company announced Friday.

Kuniskis, who has led several of the carmaker’s brands in North America, is best known for leading Dodge for most of the last decade or so. He is considered the “father” of Dodge’s high-performance Hellcat models and “the unofficial spokesman” for American muscle cars.

During his tenure, Dodge reestablished itself as a quintessential American muscle car brand. The brand did so with vehicles such as the more than 700 horsepower Challenger and Charger Hellcat models and controversial Challenger Demon drag race cars.

Kuniskis will be replaced by Chrysler brand CEO Christine Feuell, who will lead Ram in addition to Chrysler, and Matt McAlear, who will be promoted from Dodge’s sales lead to brand CEO and a member of Stellantis’ top executive team. The appointments are effective June 1, the company said.

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge

The changes come as Stellantis carries out a restructuring, including layoffs and cost cutting. It has struggled with U.S. sales, which declined 1.2% last year in a market that grew 12.3%. The company was the only major automaker to report a yearly decline, according to Motor intelligence data.

“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 said in a release. “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.”

While the company did not invest in all-new products for Dodge, Kuniskis, a salesperson and marketer, was able to grow awareness and sales of the brand’s Charger, Challenger and Durango vehicles over the years. Dodge often sparked interest by increasing V-8 engine performance or announcing new “buzz” models.

Kuniskis has been a member of Stellantis’ top executive team since the company was established through a merger of Fiat Chrysler and French automaker PSA Groupe in January 2021. He also served on the top board for Fiat Chrysler, under late CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Kuniskis’ departure is the latest in a string of changes to the company since the automaker was established. Recent changes have include a shuffle of Jeep’s top executives; North America head Mark Stewart leaving to become CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; and a shakeup late last year of the company’s international operations like the South America and Asia-Pacific regions, including China.

Don’t miss these exclusives from CNBC PRO

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

Perez condemns father’s offensive comments
Wolff praises Hamilton ahead of Ferrari move
2025 Lexus LS gets another price bump, starts at $81,685
Jaguar Logo Drama: Design Boss Denies “Sniffing The White Stuff” During Rebrand
Jorge Martin closes out first MotoGP world title

41 Comments

  1. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  2. Very well written story. It will be helpful to anyone who employess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.

  3. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

  4. I will immediately snatch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  5. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are not actually much more smartly-appreciated than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this topic, produced me individually believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t involved until it is something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. At all times handle it up!

  6. Good ?V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

  7. Great write-up, I¦m regular visitor of one¦s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

  8. After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.

  9. There are actually a variety of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice level to bring up. I supply the ideas above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where a very powerful thing can be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round issues like that, however I’m sure that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both girls and boys really feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  10. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you continue your great writing, have a nice day!

  11. What i do not understood is in fact how you are no longer really a lot more well-appreciated than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You know thus considerably in terms of this topic, made me in my view believe it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested except it is something to do with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs nice. All the time take care of it up!

  12. Hi there, You have performed a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this website.

  13. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Appreciate it!

  14. magnificent points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What would you suggest about your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

  15. Normally I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.

  16. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *