Chrysler, Dodge get new leaders

Chrysler Group has announced the creation of Ram as a brand in its own right and named Fred Diaz as its president and CEO. Designer Ralph Gilles will become the CEO of Dodge cars while retaining his position as the head of Chrysler design. Gilles is probably best known for the design of the Chrysler [...]

Fiat man takes over Mopar Powertrain

Though powertrains have long been considered one of Chrysler’s strengths, as seen in the class-leading Neon 2.0 (when it arrived), Hemi V8, and Pentastar V6, a Fiat executive has now taken over Chrysler’s Powertrain Engineering division.
Paolo Ferrero was just named Senior Vice President of Chrysler Powertrain. He will report directly to CEO Sergio Marchionne, and will [...]

In memory of Charles A. Joans

Charles A. Joans started the industry’s first factory auction in September 1963 as manager of Chrysler Leasing Corp’s national used-vehicle sales. Chrysler hired Mr. Joans in 1963 to help dispose of it’s factory used cars. They were being sold according to a discount formula, without regard to condition or mileage, at prices considerably less than [...]

New plant heads named

New plant heads are:

Brampton: Kevin Hayes
Sterling Heights: Joseph Ozdowy
Jefferson North: Patrick Walsh
Toluca Body-in-White and Stamping: Carlos Rivera
Sterling Stamping: Robert Seabolt
Warren Stamping: Lance Schwartz

Other changes include:

James McBride was appointed Head of Central Planning and Investment Control of Powertrain Operations
Donald Dekeyser was appointed Head of the Trenton (Mich.) South Engine Plant.
Andrew Garibian was appointed Head of the [...]

New Chrysler executive team (updated)

Sergio Marchionne will, as expected, be CEO of both Chrysler and Fiat. While retaining Jim Press as a deputy, he has shaken up the management structure, with the following appointments:
Peter Fong will be President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Brand, with full profit and loss responsibility for the Chrysler product portfolio; and lead executive for [...]

Last message from Bob Nardelli to employees

Dear Employees,
Congratulations!
I am pleased to report that we have closed the alliance agreement between Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat S.p.A. and have emerged from bankruptcy in record time. Chrysler Group now is a leaner, healthier and more robust company ready to compete in the challenging economy as an important player in the global automotive industry. [...]

CEO pay vs profits for auto suppliers

Automotive News recently published its list of salaries for automotive executives. While there is a statistically significant (if weak) correlation between total compensation and corporate profit, if you remove the top two CEOs – for Eaton and Johnson Controls – the relationship disappears completely. (This list does not include the CEOs for Ford and GM; [...]