Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis unveils the Charger Daytona SRT concept electric muscle car in Pontiac, Michigan, Aug. 17, 2022.
Michael Wayland / CNBC
DETROIT — Well-known Stellantis executive 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 the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the move, said the company’s leadership team alerted employees about the decision earlier Monday.
His return comes roughly a week after Stellantis 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 drive the best outcomes for the region, unlock significant potential and win in the market. A main lever is for the Ram brand to have its CEO singularly focused on that brand,” the company said in an emailed statement confirming the appointment.
Kuniskis, who has overseen several of the carmaker’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 reestablished itself as a quintessential American muscle car brand. The brand did so with vehicles such as the more-than-700-horsepower Challenger and Charger Hellcat models and controversial Challenger Demon drag race cars. He also introduced the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX pickup truck.
Kuniskis’ return was announced in conjunction with 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 solely lead North American sales; and Larry Dominique, who was leading Alfa Romeo for North America, will depart.
Stellantis’ U.S. sales struggled 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.