Chrysler splits Dodge in two
 

DETROIT) - Chrysler Group LLC is replacing two of its recently named brand CEOs, spinning off its Ram trucks as a separate brand, and asking its top designer to take on the added responsibility of CEO of the Dodge car brand.

Gone are Mike Accavitti, formerly president and CEO of the Dodge brand, and Peter Fong, who held the same titles for the Chrysler brand. Fond resigned for personal reasons and Accavitti is pursuing other interests, Chrysler said in a statement.

In their place will be Fred Diaz Jr., president and CEO of the newly created Ram brand; Ralph Gilles, who adds the title of president and CEO of Dodge cars to his current position of senior vice president for product design, and Olivier Francois takes over as president and CEO of Chrysler brand

Francois comes from Fiat Group Automobiles where he serves as head of the Lancia brand, a position he retains. He also will lead worldwide marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge car and RAM brands.

Diaz has been the director of Chrysler's Denver business center, overseeing the automaker's dealers in the mountain west region.

Mike Manley survives as president and CEO of the Jeep brand. Manley also will be responsible for implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat's international distribution network.

Joseph Veltri, who led the truck and SUV product planning team, is promoted to head of all product planning.

"This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand," Marchionne said.


BY GREG GARDNER - FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

Smart move

Financial & liability-wise, probably so...but I can easily see this turning into a "right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing" type scenario.

One thing I will give them is that they are not afraid to take chances with vehicles.

:iono:

agreed.

So there will be just Rams or what? Ram would be the brand name so does that mean they'd have to come up with different model names? It'd be like Ram "insert here" lol.

I would think trucks would remain the same just minus the Dodge part
Ex: Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500

im sure Dakota will be part of Ram. it will be known as the Ram Dakota

That sounds so stupid though. It sounds like you're saying Ram a Dakota lol.

Fanning? :yikes:

:bellyroll:

yes, but how many of those chances have worked out lately?

I don't think this makes any sense. Are they trying to establish the Ram brand of trucks on its own? Why? They seem to be pretty popular, they even will be making the full size Nissan titan soon. I don't see how the Dodge cars suffer because of the popularity of the Ram trucks. The Dodge cars suffer because they fall somewhat short in technology and overall appeal, especially the lower end models. This sounds like a way of adding cost by separating the divisions. Now you lose the simplicity of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and what cars are going to establish the Dodge cars brand as something people really want? The caliber? The 5 year old charger? The low volume challenger?

Sorry but this doesn't look like a good move.