Inside The Industry: Management Shuffle At Chrysler

AUBURN, MI (WWJ) -- The departure of a top Chrysler executive has led to a shuffling of CEOs at the company's brands.

The company has moved Dodge Brand CEO Ried Bigland to Ram, to take the job of Fred Diaz, who departed to head to Nissan sales and marketing. The company has also moved Fiat Brand Chief Tim Kuniskis to the top job at Dodge. Bigland will keep his other job, heading Chrysler's sales team.

“These appointments are part of the Chrysler Group’s strategy to continuously reinforce its leadership ranks as we continue on our path to achieve our business targets,” said Sergio Marchionne, chairman and CEO of Chrysler Group LLC. “They are a further confirmation of the depth of our talent pool and of the exceptional opportunities that are available to our people as part of their career development.”

These changes follow a relatively calm period at Chrysler following the company's emergence from bankruptcy in 2009.

Chrysler outlined the management changes this way:

"Reid Bigland is named President and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand. He continues as head of U.S. Sales, and President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. Most recently, he was President and CEO of the Dodge Brand. Bigland came to Chrysler in July 2006 from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, a South Carolina-based company.

"Timothy Kuniskis is named President and CEO of the Dodge Brand. He most recently served as Head of the FIAT Brand for North America. Kuniskis joined Chrysler in 1992 and has held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the Company’s business center operations and marketing organization.

"Jason Stoicevich is appointed Head of the FIAT Brand for North America. Stoicevich retains the position as director of the California Business Center. In his 10 years of service with Chrysler, Stoicevich has gained experience in a variety of assignments in the Company’s business center operations.

"Bruno Cattori is appointed President and CEO of Chrysler de México. Cattori most recently served as Director for Retail Sales and Fleet for all Chrysler Group brands in Mexico, a position which he retrains. Prior to rejoining Chrysler Group in early 2012, he served as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mexico. Cattori began his career at Chrysler in 1988 and has held a series of positions with increasing responsibility."