Tim Kuniskis Un-Retires to Lead Ram Once Again
Back in May, we reported that longtime Mopar executive Tim Kuniskis, then head of Dodge and RAM, was retiring after 32 years with the company, effective June 1. Welp, that didn’t last long.
In light of the surprise resignation last week of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, the automaking giant is shuffling to cover its bases, and part of that maneuvering includes the return of Kuniskis, effective immediately, to lead the RAM Trucks division. He takes over from Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell, who had added the RAM role to her business card when Kuniskis retired. With Kuniskis back to oversee RAM, Feuell will instead assume leadership of Alfa Romeo’s North America operation, which means that Larry Dominique, the man in that role since 2021, is out.
As the industry navigates an awkward transition to electric propulsion, Stellantis has seen falling sales and reduced profits across its many brands this year. Through the end of the third quarter, Stellantis’ U.S. sales are down 17 percent from last year, with RAM sales fairing even worse, down nearly 25 percent.
In the wake of Tavares’ resignation, Stellantis’ board of directors formed a committee to find his replacement, led by board chairman John Elkann, though no replacement is expected until the middle of next year. In the meantime, it would appear it’s all hands on deck, and that includes the return of Kuniskis.
“We’re going to operate in a structure that is going to drive the best outcomes in the region, unlocking significant potential, and win in the market,” said a Stellantis spokesperson, as reported in Automotive News.
In his prior role as head of Dodge and RAM, Kuniskis championed Hellcat-powered passenger cars, and he was a well-liked executive in a sea of suits. “Tim has the ability to transcend and make an impact across all brands even if he’s focusing on one or two of them, as he’s done in the past,” Michael Bettenhausen, incoming chairman of Stellantis’ U.S. dealer council, told Automotive News. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, and I think everyone in the company at some point of time has leaned on Tim for guidance and advice. You just can’t get those 32 years of sales and marketing experience he has and let it sit idle.”
When you think about it, it was right after Tim left that you really started to hear about Stellantis going to hell in a kiddie car. I hope he made it sting to get him back, and wish him the best of luck.
Hopefully he has the power to make positive changes for RAM. Still feel like they are in a bad position with all the unknowns at Stellantis.
Tim is already looking for the Hemi tooling…
Maybe some of the true old school Mopar fans were happy for something more reminiscent of the Slant 6 and hoping for the return of the Dodge nameplate on the tailgate.
Too little too late. The time for changes will be a long wait. I hope they work it out but I’m not that optimistic.
(p.s.) – in my neck of the woods, as a casual observer, I’m seeing a bit of a shift from ‘status symbol ‘ pickup ,
troubled GMC multi- functional tailgate, owner to large SUV. A trend of sorts? – ” I was in the right place… but it must of been the wrong time!”
My opinion, while it does not mean much, when stellantis decided to retire the “Hemi” and the V8 engine they ostracized the heart of their customer base.
The family man that has finally saved up to buy that Muscle car that he always wanted is the same guy that is buying a minivan for his family car.
Go ahead, kill off your bread and butter because of some political agenda.. not too smart..
Wonder how long it will take to introduce a Hellcat Single Cab Long Bed and a family hauling Hellcat Crew Cab Max with a five and a half foot bed?
Hopefully his return will herald the re-introduction of a hemi V8.
There are plenty of hemi owners out there not willing to trade and upgrade (downgrade) to anything less than another hemi
I m on my 6th ram and have had great luck with them. You have the quality but like any product, it’s how you take care of the customer when he has a problem!!
There is no question but the elimination of the Hemi from the Ram lineup resulted in a drop in sales. I live in a town that has the largest Marine base in the world. People young and old still want to hear the sound of a V*, and in a Ram that is the Hemi, Why not give buyers the no-cost choice of the Hemi or the new Hurricane 6?
Hopefully, Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep Ram Mopar is spun off as a managerially and financially independent US Corporation under Tim’s leadership.
Plymouth- value brand.
Chrysler/Imperial – high end brands.
Dodge Muscle brand.
Ram – truck brand.
Jeep Brand – off road brand.
Ram trucks are going to be the only vehicle they make. Chrysler only has the Pacifica. Not sure what Dodge has left after they retired the Charger & Challenger. It looks like the end of 2 great brands.
I hope he can right the ship, but it may already be too late to save Chrysler and Dodge from being sold off to the chineez.
I’m all set with cars and trucks and luckily not in the market for anything new. If that time comes, I’ll probably buy a Toyota.
A lifetime of Chrysler drama has worn me out.
I am with you. 80 years old so not likely to be buy much of anything, but after 60 yrs of Mopar starting with 1956 Plymouth V8 3 spd This fall I purchased what I used to call foreign vehicles a new 2024 Toyota Tundra Made this switch after the very poor service at my dealer, purchased a 2015 Laramie, that had issues that seemed unable to fix, so they stalled until it was off warranty I had enough, so went to Toyota after for yrs saying I would never buy foreign products. Although that’s not a correct call anymore as my Tundra was manufactured in USA
Ultimately this is probably the right move. However, the damage has been done. Ram trucks are great, even without the Hemi, but nothing else in the lineup is selling. Nobody even considers the Dodge Hornet when shopping for a compact SUV. Very sad situation for Mopar.