Two of Chrysler’s three brand chiefs have left the company just four months after their appointment, in a fresh management upheaval.
The Detroit carmaker has undergone sweeping changes since coming under the operational control of Italy’s Fiat after its emergence from a court-supervised restructuring in June.
It said on Monday that Peter Fong, head of the Chrysler brand, had resigned “for personal reasons”, while Michael Accavitti, head of Dodge, was leaving “to pursue other interests”.
Mr Fong also carried the title of lead sales executive for the entire company. Both men were promoted as part of a management shake-up by Fiat after Chrysler’s emergence from Chapter 11.
Olivier Francois, head of Fiat’s Lancia brand, will take over the Chrysler brand, splitting his time between Turin and Detroit.
Chrysler indicated Mr Accavitti’s departure was part of the prelude to the unveiling of Fiat’s detailed five-year strategy for the carmaker, expected in the third week of November.
Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of both companies, said on Monday that Dodge would be split into two divisions – one focusing on cars and the other on the Ram pick-up truck, Chrysler’s top-seller.
Chrysler announced last week that Frank Ewasyshyn, its manufacturing chief, was taking temporary medical leave.
Jim Press, deputy chief executive, is expected to step down within the next month or two. Mr Press was the only one of three top managers to remain after Fiat took control.
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