MENU
SEARCH
Laura Soave, head of the Fiat brand for North America, is no longer employed by Chrysler Group LLC.
Effective Monday, she has been replaced by Timothy Kuniskis, a 19-year veteran of Chrysler who was director of product marketing for the Fiat and Chrysler brands.
Soave was still in the top Fiat position for North American last week at the Los Angeles auto show, but there had been growing speculation she would lose her job. The automaker announced today that she has left the company "and will pursue other interests."
Asked if Soave was still in charge on Wednesday, Olivier Francois, head of the Fiat brand globally, said "sure, sure, sure" in an interview with The Detroit News.
The change in leadership comes on the heels of failed efforts to get Fiat dealerships up and running in the United States in a timely manner.
Sales of the Fiat 500, at about 15,800 through October, are far below what is needed to meet initial projections of 50,000 a year.
The Fiat advertising campaign, featuring actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, also has been criticized.
In Los Angeles, Fiat showed the new 2012 500 Abarth, a performance version of the tiny car, as well as the Gucci edition tailored more to women.
The Gucci edition goes on sale next month; the Abarth follows early next year. Fiat is also adding an electric 500 to the lineup next year.
"Tim brings broad expertise and leadership in dealer operations and marketing, where he has been already working with the team to shape the direction of the Fiat Brand," Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement.
"As North American Head of Fiat, much of his immediate focus will be working with the dealer body where his fresh perspective from the operational side, as well as that on the commercial side, will begin the Fiat Brand's next chapter," Marchionne said.
Conversion rates were flat last week at 63%, Black Book analysts calculated, as low-mileage and almost-near units outpaced the overall market.
Read More →
Trade relations between the European Union and the U.S. are at risk, causing the European Automobile Manufacturers Association to push lawmakers to make a decision.
Read More →
Understanding the risks and benefits of retail accounting and Super CFCs can help you better present options to your dealer partners.
Read More →
China easily reigns in the segment, but European countries’ adoption rates are growing. The U.S., probably due to market size, has the second biggest EV fleet.
Read More →
The full-size pickup segment, which has been dominant in the U.S., ended 11 consecutive weeks of gains with a slight dip last week.
Read More →
Wholesale auto conversion rates dropped slightly as auction buyers proved picky last week, analysts observed.
Read More →
Fast charging of electric vehicles provides a solution for range anxiety, but it also poses a risk to battery cycle life due to increased temperatures, according to an EV supply chain data provider.
Read More →
Expanding Midwest automotive group picks up three stores as part of the robust transaction activity early this year.
Read More →
Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.
Read More →
The automaker says its movement of some electric-vehicle work to the S.C. factory is part of a more tailored product focus. It also plans to add a new hybrid model to the plant’s itinerary.
Read More →