Timothy Kuniskis returns to lead Ram after shock retirement announcement

In December 2024, Timothy Kuniskis was reinstated as the CEO of Ram, a prominent brand under Stellantis, an American-Italian automotive manufacturing corporation. His return comes just months after he announced his retirement, coinciding with efforts by Stellantis to bolster its leadership team following the unexpected resignation of former CEO Carlos Tavares. Under Tavares, the company faced significant challenges, including a 24 percent decline in U.S. sales for the Ram brand through the third quarter of 2024. This drastic drop in sales underscored the need for focused leadership in the brand, which holds considerable importance within Stellantis, particularly in their North American operations. Stellantis's shares have also seen substantial depreciation, declining nearly 37 percent in 2024, despite a generally flourishing broader market. The company’s chairman, John Elkann, is temporarily heading an executive committee while Stellantis searches for a new CEO, who should be chosen within the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, Christine Feuell, who had taken Kuniskis's place at Ram, will continue to spearhead Stellantis's Chrysler brand and Alfa Romeo North America. Kuniskis’s return signifies Stellantis's commitment to reversing the downturn in sales and profits, especially in the North American market, which is known to be a critical sector for automotive manufacturers. By placing Kuniskis back at the helm of Ram, Stellantis aims to create a concentrated leadership approach that can unlock potential and enhance competitiveness in a challenging market landscape. Overall, the leadership changes reflect Stellantis's strategy to address falling sales, improve financial outcomes, and stabilize its operations during a tumultuous period marked by management shake-ups and economic pressures. This move is expected to realign the brand’s focus, leveraging Kuniskis's experience to rebuild market presence and drive sales recovery.