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.”
European CEO’s certainly do not understand the US market. Witness the sh*t show known as Harley-Davidson….
I couldn’t agree more, the utter stupidity of the Live Wire speaks for itself.
Chrysler production decisions cost them sales, pure and simple. When approached by a dealer’s sales staff about trading in my cherry 2013 Ram Longhorn for a specially-priced new Ram, I said I’d rather consider one of the top line models. Sorry, I was told. Can’t get them, but we have a lot full of the lower-priced one. Trade in to trade down? Don’t think so.
Take off all the bells and whistles that aren’t gov’t mandated and make a vehicle the average person can afford. 100k for a new Ram is out of the question in my neck of the woods.
If Dodge is really serious about generating sales and regaining market share, it needs to have as a base model for the new Charger that is a rear wheel drive and has the v6 Pentastar engine. This last presidential election was a reflection of many people hurting financially. People would go for a sleek body style with reasonable power that they could afford. Also they should bring back the Hemi engine. I go to car cruise-ins all the time; MOPAR guys love Hemi engines.
Bring back the Hemi. I want a Demon 170