Chrylser brand bosses

Just a little snipit from Automotive News regarding the new executives that will be heading up the new Chrysler. I'm actually very excited to see the different direction this will take Chrysler...and make it competitive and better. We need change!
Chrysler's brand new brand men
Michael Accavitti
New job: CEO, Dodge brand
Background: Accavitti, a Chrysler lifer, got a taste of Italian automaking early in his career. In 1987, he was a manufacturing engineer in the Chrysler-Maserati joint venture that produced the Chrysler TC sporty car. After that, he worked in Chrysler manufacturing, overseas in Southeast Asia and in product development and marketing. His most recent position was Chrysler LLC's director of brand marketing.
Challenge: Dodge built its image on powerful, sporty cars. Accavitti must balance Dodge's traditional strengths with the need to meet the federal government's tough 35.5 mpg fleet average for 2016.


Michael Manley
Age: 45
New job: CEO, Jeep brand, and head of Chrysler Group LLC product planning
Background: Chrysler is entrusting a Brit with Jeep, its most American-style brand. Manley, trained as an engineer in the United Kingdom, joined DaimlerChrysler's dealer operations there in 2000. He was named vice president for dealer operations of the Chrysler group in 2003. He worked his way up last year to executive vice president for international sales and global product planning.
Challenge: Many critics say Jeep lost its way with watered-down vehicles that lacked off-road credentials, such as the Compass. Manley must decide whether to keep trying to broaden Jeep's appeal or return to its off-road roots.


Peter Fong
New job: CEO, Chrysler brand, and head of Chrysler Group sales
Background: No Chrysler lifer here, Fong spent 9 years as a U.S. Navy pilot before joining Lincoln Mercury in 1987 as a parts and service zone manager. He worked in Ford Motor's sales and marketing operations until he joined Chrysler last year. He was most recently director of Chrysler's mid-Atlantic business center.
Challenge: Chrysler has the weakest image and products of the automaker's 3 brands. Fong has the most leeway of the 3 brand CEOs to plot a new mission as Fiat infuses Chrysler with fresh products.


Pietro Gorlier
Age: 46
New job: CEO, Mopar Service and Parts and Customer Services, which includes customer service responsibility for the 3 vehicle brands.
Background: Gorlier, an Italian, joined Fiat in 1989, starting in aftersales parts logistics. In 2004, he was put in charge of dealer network development at Fiat Group Automobiles. In 2007, he added the same duties at Case New Holland, the Fiat-owned manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment based in Burr Ridge, Ill. Gorlier played a key role in Fiat's negotiations to take control of Chrysler.
Challenge: Reinvigorate the Mopar brand and rebuild customer satisfaction through improved service and better customer relations methods.


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