FCA CEO Mike Manley handed out new assignments to his executive team including naming Pietro Gorlier to COO with oversight of European operations.
After just about six weeks as CEO, Fiat Chrysler’s Mike Manley has shuffled the company’s top managers to his liking, with one appointment in particular drawing attention.
He announced the changes in an email sent to employees.
“The next five years will continue to be extremely challenging for our industry, with tougher regulations, intense competition and probably slower industry growth around the world,” he wrote.
“One key element in the (five-year) plan is to ensure that our leadership team is best aligned to our objectives going forward. We have an outstanding team here at FCA with extensive experience and an exceptional record of success and I’m pleased today to announce the following evolution in our leadership roles as we begin to implement our new plan,” he added.
(FCA readying for ratings upgrade from Moody’s. Click Here for the story.)
Manley, who succeeded former CEO Sergio Marchionne upon his passing, named Pietro Gorlier, formerly the head of FCA’s parts division, to take over as chief operating officer of the company’s European operations.
FCA's Reid Bigland is back in charge of the company's Ram brand, which he oversaw from 2013-15.
He takes on the job from Alfredo Altavilla who left after Manley’s appointment. Altavilla was also considered to be a possible successor to Marchionne, who planned to retire at the end of the year, but never announced who was to take his spot before he died. The board selected Manley.
Gorlier, who was in charge of the company’s Mopar division as well as the oft-for sale or spinoff Magneti Marelli, will be succeeded by the parts maker’s lighting division head Ermanno Ferrari. Gorlier will remain in charge of Mopar globally, but Steve Beahm will assume responsibilities for Mopar in the North America region, while continuing in his role as Head of the Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat Brands in North America.
(Click Here for more about FCA posting lower than expected earnings as it mourns Marchionne.)
Tim Kuniskis became Head of Jeep Brand North America and maintains his responsibilities as Global Head of Alfa Romeo. Reid Bigland is named Head of Ram Brand, a position with which he is well acquainted, Manley noted.
Tim Kuniskis is now head of Jeep while retaining his role in charge of Alfa Romeo.
“Reid previously led the Ram Brand in 2013 – 2014 which, under his leadership, experienced sales growth of nearly 50%. With the new Ram Light Duty Truck nearing full production and the new Ram Heavy Duty planned to come to market in mid-2019, Reid has the right products and the skills to take Ram to the next level. Reid will maintain his roles leading our Canadian operations and U.S. sales.”
Harald Wester was named Chief Operating Officer of Maserati and keeps his role as Chief Technology Officer. Scott Garberding was named Global Chief Manufacturing Officer while Richard Schwarzwald became Global Head of Quality.
(To see what the new 5-year-plan holds for Jeep, Ram, Alfa and Maserati, Click Here.)
“These appointments ensure that we will maintain our focus on the highest degree of execution and excellence in each of our regions and across our functional groups,” Manley wrote in the email. “They also provide the appropriate support to our broad-based brand portfolio and reinforce our disciplined approach to capital allocation.