Dodge, Ram brands to get new leaders with longtime executive's retirement

Stellantis' Dodge and Ram brands will have new leadership to oversee the rollout of key electric vehicles this year.

The automaker announced Friday that Tim Kuniskis, who was in charge of both brands, is retiring after 32 years with Stellantis and its predecessor Chrysler-related companies.

The changes are effective June 1, according to the company.

Kuniskis has been closely identified with the Dodge brand's high-horsepower image in recent years and also promoted the coming shift to electric muscle cars. He had also taken the helm of Ram, part of a string of Stellantis leadership changes.

Christine Feuell, who is CEO of the Chrysler brand, will also take over as head of Ram trucks, and Matt McAlear will head the Dodge brand as its CEO. McAlear, who will also become head of Stellantis' Top Executive Team, previously "led Dodge sales operations and has broad experience in the automotive industry as well as in the medical and digital sectors, providing him with the foundation to lead the Dodge brand," according to a company news release.

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Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares thanked "Tim for his passion, commitment and contributions to Stellantis and in defining the vision of the future electrified Ram and Dodge brands. I wish him well in his retirement. I am confident that Chris will continue the work of Tim in leading the iconic Ram brand. Matt will bring a fresh perspective, while continuing to draw on the heritage of our iconic Dodge brand and leading the transition of the brand toward a sustainable future.”

Dodge is preparing to launch two battery electric vehicle models this year, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T and a Daytona Scat Pack, and Ram's first electric pickup, the 2025 Ram 1500 REV, is said to be on its way as well.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.