Stellantis announced on Friday that Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Dodge and Ram brands, will retire after nearly 32 years with the automaker and its predecessors. Kuniskis, known for leading Dodge and being instrumental in the development of high-performance Hellcat models, has been a key figure in the automotive industry.
During his tenure, Kuniskis guided Dodge to reestablish itself as a quintessential American muscle car brand. Under his leadership, Dodge introduced iconic vehicles such as the Challenger and Charger Hellcat models, which boasted over 700 horsepower, as well as the controversial Challenger Demon drag race cars.
Kuniskis will be succeeded by Christine Feuell, the current CEO of the Chrysler brand, who will now lead both Ram and Chrysler. Matt McAlear, Dodge’s sales lead, will be promoted to brand CEO and join Stellantis’ top executive team. These changes are set to take effect on June 1 as part of Stellantis’ restructuring efforts, which include layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares praised Kuniskis for his passion and contributions, especially in defining the vision for the future electrified Ram and Dodge brands. Tavares expressed confidence in Feuell to continue Kuniskis’ work in leading the iconic Ram brand, while McAlear is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Dodge’s brand transition toward a sustainable future.
Under Kuniskis’ leadership, Dodge saw increased sales and brand awareness for its Charger, Challenger, and Durango vehicles, despite not investing in all-new products. He was known for his marketing prowess, often generating interest by enhancing V-8 engine performance or introducing new “buzz” models.
Kuniskis has been a member of Stellantis’ top executive team since its formation through the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Groupe in January 2021. He also served on the top board for Fiat Chrysler under late CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Kuniskis’ retirement adds to a series of changes within Stellantis since its formation, including a reshuffle of Jeep’s top executives, the departure of North America head Mark Stewart to become CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., and a reorganization of the company’s international operations late last year, including in South America and the Asia-Pacific regions.