On October 5, 2009, Chrysler Group LLC issued a press release announcing a handful of new corporate positions throughout the company, as well as the introduction of the new Dodge RAM brand. The previous CEO/President positions of the Dodge and Chrysler brand, held by Michael Accavitti (left to pursue other interests) and Peter Fong (“personal reasons”) respectively were suddenly vacated when the two left the company. The top position in the Chrysler brand has been filled by Olivier Francois, who is the acting CEO of Lancia, and has been a member of the Fiat management team for almost 5 years.
The announcement of the new head of the Dodge brand, came with an interesting twist. Chrysler Group LLC has decided to split the Dodge brand into the Dodge cars brand - which will contain all of the cars, crossovers, and the minivans; and the new Dodge RAM brand. The Dodge RAM will offer the Dodge Ram pickups and the commercial vehicles previously offered from Dodge. The press release fails to mention where the Dodge Dakota will land, and with no mention of the mid sized pickup, the future of the model could be up in the air, although we can assume for now that it will fall under the Dodge RAM brand. Hopefully Chrysler will have more information soon as to the exact model layout of the Dodge RAM and Dodge car brands. The creation of this new group includes a new CEO, and Fred Diaz Jr. will take that position, previously having run the Denver Business Center. The Dodge car group will be headed by long time Chrysler designer Ralph Gilles.
This decision to split the cars and trucks is similar to a Fiat corporate split headed by Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne, and that split helped to stabilize the then-struggling European auto giant. Mr. Marchionne hopes that this split of the Dodge brand will allow for a better focus on improving the Dodge Car brand, as Dodge’s cars (as well as Chrysler’s) have been suffering in sales. The Dodge trucks, on the other hand, are among the best selling on the market, and this new Dodge RAM brand will offer Chrysler Group a chance to show positive numbers during these difficult times for automakers. There is also the concern of the new CAFÉ laws looming over the industry, and there could be some benefit to Chrysler to have the less fuel efficient trucks separated from the cars to improve the overall efficiency rating of the brand.
The downside to this new corporate layout is that some analysts say that this could be a way of Dodge liquidating assets associated with the poorer selling models, specifically the Dodge cars. For the time being, this appears to be an attempt to help get the entire company back on track, and the next few months promise to be interesting, as the new Chrysler Group LLC front office decide which models need to go in order to get the company back on its feet.
The Official Press Release from Chrysler Group LLC:
Chrysler Group LLC Announces New Appointments Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 5, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC today announces brand and commercial organization changes.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations. This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand,” Mr. Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC said.
Fred Diaz Jr. is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Ram Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Ram product portfolio. Mr. Diaz will also be the lead executive for the Sales organization in the United States. He was previously the Director of the Denver Business Center. Mr. Diaz has been with the Company since 1989 in positions of increasing responsibility. The Company will announce Mr. Diaz’s replacement with a separate announcement.
Ralph Gilles is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Car product portfolio. Mr. Gilles will continue to lead the Product Design organization of Chrysler Group which he joined in 1992.
Olivier Francois is appointed President and CEO, Chrysler Brand, with profit and loss responsibility for the Chrysler product portfolio. Mr. Francois joins the Company from Fiat Group Automobiles where he serves as head of the Lancia Brand, a position he retains. Mr. Francois will also be the lead executive for the Marketing organization with responsibility to coordinate worldwide marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge Car and Dodge Ram brands. He will continue to lead these functions within Fiat Group Automobiles. Mr. Francois joined Fiat in 2005.
Michael Manley will continue as the President and CEO, Jeep Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Jeep Brand product portfolio. Mr. Manley will also be the lead executive for the international activities of the Company outside of NAFTA and will be responsible for implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat’s international distribution network. Mr. Manley has been with Chrysler since 1998.
Joseph Veltri joins the Management Team as Head of Product Planning. Mr. Veltri started with the Company in 1988. His career has included positions in product planning, marketing, business strategy, and finance. He served most recently as Product Planning Lead and Head of Truck/SUV Planning.
Peter Fong, head of the Chrysler Brand has resigned for personal reasons. Michael Accavitti, head of the Dodge Brand has resigned to pursue other interests.
Comments
Sorry I'm just getting around to it but you did an awesome awesome review of the new Lamborghini Reventon. The best design in my mind, of any car maker, since the Countach, which I though was lightyears ahead of it's time. A more thourgh review I could not have asked for. Thank You....JOE
PS. GO JEREMY
Thanks for the compliments, Joe. There was 1 Reventon at SEMA last year, and Im really hoping to see one this year, as I wasnt happy with all of my pictures of the car from last year. I've never been a huge fan of European design, but in my opinion Lamborghini just keeps putting out better and better vehicles.
I'm not so sure this is a good idea, the Challenger and Charger are awesome cars but they can't hold up the car brand by themselves. The Avenger needs some help badly, the Caliber as well (if not just replaced outright). Additionally something is needed to fill the gap left by killing the Neon, the Caliber just doesn't appeal to much of the same market the Neon did.
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