Ex-Dodge, Ram boss Tim Kuniskis returns to Stellantis

DETROIT — Well known Stellantis CEO Tim Kuniskis is returning to the automaker effective immediately, CNBC has learned.

Kuniskis, who retired from the automaker in May, will once again lead the company’s Ram Trucks brand, according to two people familiar with the decision. The people, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity to discuss the move, said the company’s management team alerted employees to the decision earlier Monday.

His return comes about a week after Stellanti CEO Carlos Tavares unexpectedly resigned from the automaker following problems with its North American market.

“Today’s changes will enable us to operate in a structure that will create the best results for the region, unlock significant potential and win in the market. An important lever is that the Ram brand has its CEO uniquely focused on that brand ,” the company said in an emailed statement confirming the appointment.

Kuniskis, who has overseen several of the automaker’s brands in North America, had led the company’s Ram and Dodge brands before retiring.

Kuniskis is arguably best known for leading Dodge for most of the last decade or so. He is considered “the father” of Dodge’s high-performance Hellcat models and “the unofficial spokesman” for American muscle cars.

During his tenure, Dodge re-established itself as a quintessential American muscle car brand. The brand did so with vehicles such as the Challenger and Charger Hellcat models with more than 700 horsepower and controversial Challenger Demon drag racers. He also introduced the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX pickup.

Kuniskis’ return was announced amid several other changes for the automaker’s North American operations. Chris Feuell, who had been leading the Ram and Chrysler brands, will now oversee Chrysler and Alfa Romeo; Jeff Kommor will exclusively manage North American sales; and Larry Dominique, who led Alfa Romeo for North America, will leave.

Stellantis’ sales in the USA fought under Tavares’ leadership despite increases in the overall market. That includes a 17% year-over-year decline for the company through the third quarter, including a 24% sales decline for Ram.