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The new boss of Fiat Chrysler unveiled on Monday its management team, seeking to revive the European manufacturer, to go from the front in North America and keep the group in the development race of the autonomous car sector and electric.
Mike Manley took over in July after longtime chef Sergio Marchionne fell ill and died later after succumbing to complications from the surgery. Manley, of British origin, has since pledged to carry out a strategy that Marchionne set in June to keep FCA "strong and independent".
"The next five years will continue to be extremely difficult for our industry, with tighter regulations, intense competition and possibly slower growth of the industry around the world," said Manley in a letter. addressed to employees on Monday.
"Nevertheless, with a focus on laser performance and ongoing flexibility that allows us to adapt as circumstances change … we have a clear vision of achieving our five-year ambitions."
Manley has appointed Pietro Gorlier, currently head of FCA's component operations business, as FCA's next European head to attack an area where profitability is lower than that of his peers, many workers are stuck in bursts and various factories operating below their capacity.
Former European car maker Alfredo Altavilla left after FCA named Manley as Marchionne's successor.
As head of the components unit, Gorlier also directed Magneti Marelli, the spare parts unit that FCA could either sell or sell.
He will be replaced at Magneti Marelli by the head of the lighting division of the parts manufacturer, Ermanno Ferrari.
Japan's Calsonic Kansei has discussed with the FCA the purchase of the unit, sources close to the case said, but no binding agreement has been reached and the agreement could still collapse.
Choosing an Italian at the helm of Europe could allay some fears in Italy that FCA could weaken its connection with Fiat's roots.
In its latest strategy unveiled in June, Marchionne promised to convert Italian factories to produce Alfa Romeos, Jeeps and Maserati instead of less profitable vehicles in the mass market to preserve jobs and increase margins. Europe will also be an integral part of the company's electrification campaign.
FCA will copy to Europe what has worked in the US, where it has re-equipped factories to build SUVs and more expensive trucks in a hurry since emulated by bigger competitors Ford and GM.
Manley has also appointed new managers to succeed him at Jeep and RAM, the two brands that have generated profits in recent years and remain at the heart of growth plans.
Tim Kuniskis has been named head of Jeep North America, while Reid Bigland has been named head of the RAM truck brand.
Kuniskis will also remain in charge of Alfa Romeo, while Harald Wester, current chief technology officer, will assume an additional role in the leading luxury brand Maserati.
Manley and his team have big shoes to fill: Marchionne realized what many people thought impossible, including his huge bet just ten years ago when he set in motion the marriage of the troubled Fiat with his American rival in bankruptcy, Chrysler.
It is now the seventh largest global car manufacturer and is debt free, but not without challenges
In July, FCA reduced its earnings outlook for the year, calling for weaker-than-expected performance in China, a market that is one of the immediate headaches of the new CEO.
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