Tim Kuniskis, the long-serving CEO of the Ram and Dodge brands and a prominent figure in American muscle car culture, is set to retire after nearly 32 years with Stellantis. This announcement comes at a challenging time for Stellantis, which is navigating a significant shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. As of April, Stellantis reported a 14.1% drop in U.S. sales, compared to a 3.1% increase industry-wide, according to Motorintelligence.com.
Throughout his career, Kuniskis has been a key advocate for high-performance American vehicles, introducing several notable models, including the 1,025 horsepower Challenger SRT Demon 170 last year. Recently, in March, he unveiled two new electric versions of the Charger muscle car while maintaining a gas-powered version without the iconic Hemi V8.
Kuniskis, who has been leading both Dodge and Ram, will be succeeded at Ram by Chris Feuell, who will also continue her role as head of the Chrysler brand. Matt McAlear, a seasoned automotive professional, will take over as CEO of Dodge.
Both Dodge and Ram are facing significant transitions. Dodge is phasing out its traditional gas-powered Charger and Challenger models in favor of electric versions, leading to a 17% decline in sales through April. The new Hornet small SUV, made in Italy, has yet to gain traction. Ram sales have also plummeted by over 29% this year, partly due to the retooling of a Michigan factory for a new full-size pickup.
Despite these challenges, analysts believe Stellantis can find a successor who will continue Kuniskis’ legacy. Stephanie Brinley from S&P Global noted that the future of Dodge muscle cars hinges on product execution and alignment with customer expectations, rather than solely on leadership.
In a March event in Detroit, Kuniskis highlighted the brand’s future with new electric Chargers and a gas-fueled Charger featuring a 3-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, offering up to 550 horsepower. He emphasized that the electric models would maintain the performance focus typical of muscle cars.
Kuniskis acknowledged potential criticism from environmental groups but defended the performance-oriented design of the electric vehicles. Globally, Stellantis faced a 10% drop in vehicle shipments and a 12% revenue decline in the first quarter, attributed to lower sales and the launch of 25 new models, including 18 electric vehicles. However, CFO Natalie Knight expressed optimism, forecasting improved growth and profitability in the latter half of the year.
