The Ram brand is getting a new leader.
Stellantis on Tuesday said Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis will also be Ram’s CEO starting July 1. He replaces Mike Koval Jr., who will head the Mopar North America parts unit instead.
The change in leadership for Ram, which is Stellantis’ second-largest U.S. brand after Jeep, comes as it prepares to launch an electric van this year followed by the electric 1500 REV pickup in 2024.
The moves are part of a shuffle that involves several other Stellantis executives as well.
“These changes demonstrate that the diversity of talent and experience inside Stellantis’ Top Executive Team make it possible to adapt our leadership team to address the challenging business environment while continuing the success story that this team has built over the past two and a half years with the focused execution of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan,” Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said in a statement.
Olivier Francois, the automaker’s global CMO and Fiat brand CEO, will widen his scope of responsibilities and is being appointed CEO of DS Automobiles.
Stellantis said Ned Curic, currently chief technology officer, will extend his responsibilities to include R&D and will become chief engineering and technology officer. Curic is replacing Harald Wester, who is retiring.
The automaker said Curic’s added responsibility “will drive the continued transformation of Stellantis into a sustainable mobility tech company by ensuring alignment between strategic vision and project implementation of the Stellantis R&D function.” Sebastien Jacquet is being appointed deputy, responsible for projects and cross car lines.
Beatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles CEO, is being appointed chief planning officer, replacing Olivier Bourges. Bourges will become global corporate office and public affairs officer.
The automaker said Giorgio Fossati, as general counsel, “will strengthen his contribution to the legal activity in an even more demanding regulatory context of the automotive industry, while continuing to successfully support the Company’s efficient governance with his invaluable support to the Board of Directors.”
Silvia Vernetti, currently head of the global corporate office, is appointed head of global corporate planning, reporting to Foucher.
These moves follow the reshuffling of the automaker’s design team last week.
