Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis will also take the helm of Ram beginning on July 1, according to a statement made by Stellantis on Tuesday. Ram’s former CEO Mike Koval Jr. will now oversee the company’s Mopar components unit. But Kuniskis isn’t the only CEO handling two divisions, as the shake-up also concerns a number of other Stellantis officials.
Stellantis BOGOs
Fiat’s global CMO and CEO, Olivier Francois, has been named CEO of DS Automobiles, while Ned Curic, Stellantis’ chief technology officer, will take on additional duties in R&D and transition to the role of chief engineering and technology officer. The additional responsibilities come as Harald Wester is retiring. Meanwhile, Beatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles current CEO, is now chief planning officer, replacing Olivier Bourges. Bourges will become global corporate office and public affairs officer.
One gets the sense of how Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares wrings costs out of organizations, as one high-paid executive takes on the role of two executives, saving one sizeable salary.
“These changes demonstrate that the diversity of talent and experience inside Stellantis’ Top Executive Team make it possible to adapt our leadership team to address the challenging business environment while continuing the success story that this team has built over the past two and a half years with the focused execution of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan,” Tavares said in a statement.
Ever-changing design roles
The shift in responsibilities follows changes in Stellantis’ leadership following the departure of Chris Benjamin, vice president of interior design at Stellantis, who was named chief design officer for Volkswagen Group’s new Scout brand. Prior to his role at Stellantis and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Benjamin worked at Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo.
Benjamin’s departure after more than 10 years at Stellantis/FCA is a huge loss for the company.
“Chris’ work is prolific. For nearly 25 years he’s brought to life vehicles that stand out on the road,” said Scout’s CEO and president Scott Keogh in a statement. “His thumbprints are all over many of the most beloved off-road vehicles in the market today. I’m confident that Chris will build on that experience as he defines the next chapter of design for Scout.”
In the wake of Benjamin’s departure, as well as that of Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, who is retiring after 30 years with Stellantis/FCA/Chrysler, Vince Galante has been named vice president of Jeep exterior design. Galante will lead the exterior design of Jeep and Wagoner vehicles, having spent 12 years in the Jeep design studio under Allen. During that time, Galante handled interior and exterior design, global UX, as well as overseen such products programs as Uconnect, the Grand Wagoneer Concept and the Airflow Vision Concept.
Another designer being promoted is Ryan Nagode, now vice president of interior design following his most recent work as interior design leader on the Ram 1500 Revolution battery-electric vehicle concept and the forthcoming 2025 Ram 1500 REV battery-electric pickup truck. In his new role, Nagode will guide interior design for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Truck and Wagoneer vehicles. Nagode joined the company in 2003.
Finally, Leandro Pinto was named vice president responsible for global UX, responsible for global design development of Stellantis’ user experience and Uconnect platform. Pinto joined Stellantis South America in 2019 leading the UX design team, before relocating to France in 2022 to work on regional and global programs.
Galante, Nagode and Pinto will report to Ralph Gilles, chief design officer for the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Maserati and Fiat Latin America. Pinto will also report to Chief Design Officer Jean Pierre Ploue for European brands.
“Vince, Ryan and Leandro will bring their own unique perspective, imagination and innovation to these roles as we move toward an electrified future,” said Gilles. “We’re fortunate to have such proven and amazing talent inside our design office.”
