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BREAKING: Former FCA CEO Mike Manley, Is Leaving Stellantis For A New CEO Role!

Will Run AutoNation, America's Largest Automotive Retailer...

Stellantis announced earlier this morning that Mike Manley will step down from his role as Head of Americas to take up the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at AutoNation Inc., America’s largest automotive retailer based in Florida, starting on Monday, November 1st. 

Mike Manley addresses the FCA US employees during the memorial for Sergio Marchionne. (Stellantis).

Manley, who was inspirational in the global expansion and success to the growth of both the Jeep® and Ram Truck brands, took over the position of CEO of the former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), shortly before the unexpected death of former CEO, Sergio Marchionne in July 2018. Since then, He then realigned several of the top management positions within the company and stayed the course of Marchionne’s original plan for the company.

One of those plans was to find a partner for the Italian-American automaker to share architectures, technologies, and increased development costs of its future vehicle portfolio as global restrictions, emissions, and safety caused the cost to develop future products to rise drastically over the last decade. Marchionne made it no secret that it was his intention to do so, even at one time trying to merge the company with General Motors (GM).

Carlos Tavares and Mike Manley shake hands after announcing the new 50:50 merger between FCA and PSA. (Stellantis).

Manley followed suit with an agreed equal merger with French automaker Groupe PSA, which led to the formation of Stellantis – the fourth-largest automaker by volume globally, earlier this year.

With Groupe PSA CEO Carlos Tavares taking the CEO helm of the new company, it has left the question if Manley will stick around or leave the new organization. Rumors had Manley taking the top spot at Ferrari, the Italian automaker majority-owned by the Agnelli family, the same family with a huge stake of ownership in FCA. Instead, current Stellantis Chairman John Elkann, who is a member of the Agnelli family, taking the CEO position of Ferrari on December 10th, 2020

Mike Manley talks with the press after the unveiling of the 2019 Ram 1500 at the NAIAS show in Detroit. (Stellantis).

It left Manley, with what seemed like an “honorary position” as Head of the Americas overseeing operations for the Stellantis biggest market in volume. Since taking that position, Manley remained out of the spotlight, only showing himself at certain events like Tavares’ recent visit to the Warren Truck Assembly Plant (WTAP) to oversee the production launch of the all-new Jeep® Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer (WS). It left many to question Manley’s future intentions, especially after losing his spot on the Executive Board of the new company after the merger was completed.

Mark Stewart, who is the current Chief Operating Officer (COO) of North America, and Antonio Filosa, COO of Latin America, and the Top Executive Team members with responsibility for the North American and Latin American regions will henceforward report directly to Tavares.

Mike Manley (left) and Carlos Tavares tour the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson plant. (Stellantis).

“It’s been my privilege to know Mike first as a competitor, then as a partner and colleague in the creation of Stellantis, but most importantly, always as a friend. From the very earliest days of our discussions, we shared a truly common vision, belief, and commitment and it’s on these solid foundations, built over the past several years, that Stellantis has delivered its impressive early results,” Tavares said in an official statement. “So, while I’m personally sorry to no longer have Mike as a colleague, I’m equally delighted for his new CEO role and glad that he will be joining the board of the Stellantis Foundation.”

Stellantis Chairman, John Elkann also commented on Manley’s decision to move to the AutoNation role. Stating “I’d like to thank Mike for all that he has done over his 20 years with us. His time as the head of Jeep® was transformational for that flagship brand and then as the CEO of FCA, he led the company to record results through some of its most challenging moments. Working closely with Carlos, he was instrumental in the creation and successful launch of Stellantis. We wish him all the very best in his new role.”

Mike Manley introducing the updated 2019 Jeep® Cherokee (KL) at the NAIAS show in Detroit. (Stellantis).

Manley, who served as the long-time CEO of the Jeep brand was instrumental in what the brand has become today. As an enthusiast of the brand, he oversaw the expansion of the Jeep brand on a global scale bringing the sales of the brand from 320,000 vehicles in 2009 to 1.23 million in 2015. He also was CEO of the Ram Truck brand from 2015 to 2019, overseeing the launch of the 2019 Ram 1500. He also served as the COO for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

“After 20 incredible, challenging, and enjoyable years, and with Stellantis performing so strongly under Carlos’ leadership, the time feels right for me to open a new chapter. Working with Carlos to create this extraordinary company, with the constant support of our shareholders, has been a huge privilege both professionally and personally,” Manley stated about his departure. “I’m so proud of our Stellantis teams for their extraordinary work and I wish Carlos and them every success as they continue their great adventure. Finally, I am very honored to have been asked to join the Stellantis Foundation board.”

 

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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This was something many saw coming. Mike may have been the best mind in the business, but with Carlos and Stellantis, his talents were inevitably going to be compromised, his vision under a cloud and his ambition limited. I’d have done the same thing if I had his brains, talent, good looks and charming accent, but I surely don’t. You guys knew that I bet. This is a great, great loss, but a tactical win for Stellantis which avoids a war of egos in the upper levels of management and the necessary uniminity in thinking to carry this new business to maturity and profitability. One fear I have is that the Chrysler Group loses its American culture, personality, engineering focus and unique styling themes to a homgonized mind set of stoic corporate uniform close minded think yes sir orgy. A dyed in the wool, blue blooded American hot rod nut car guy must be elevated to an influential position or the predictions of the nay sayers just might come true. How many times have the Europeans been wrong on our domestic market? Hello,can anyone say Fiat 500 L ?
I can try to put lipstick on a pig, but at first blush, my tears of disappointment are messing my eyeliner as corporate makeup anxiety emerges. I bet you guys knew that too. Good luck Mike!

Reply 2 Likes

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Mike isn’t an American but he understood what can make Jeep and Ram more profitable.
What I don’t like about Mike, is that he poached the plans to make Alfa more recognizable.

Reply 3 Likes

tooo many cooks in the Kitchen.... someone was going to have to move on.

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This was something many saw coming. Mike may have been the best mind in the business, but with Carlos and Stellantis, his talents were inevitably going to be compromised, his vision under a cloud and his ambition limited. I’d have done the same thing if I had his brains, talent, good looks and charming accent, but I surely don’t. You guys knew that I bet. This is a great, great loss, but a tactical win for Stellantis which avoids a war of egos in the upper levels of management and the necessary uniminity in thinking to carry this new business to maturity and profitability. One fear I have is that the Chrysler Group loses its American culture, personality, engineering focus and unique styling themes to a homgonized mind set of stoic corporate uniform close minded think yes sir orgy. A dyed in the wool, blue blooded American hot rod nut car guy must be elevated to an influential position or the predictions of the nay sayers just might come true. How many times have the Europeans been wrong on our domestic market? Hello,can anyone say Fiat 500 L ?
I can try to put lipstick on a pig, but at first blush, my tears of disappointment are messing my eyeliner as corporate makeup anxiety emerges. I bet you guys knew that too. Good luck Mike!

LOL
John Elkann is American.
The you fear losing the “American” is joke, if any side have lost culture it’s the Italian side(no longer base,attention to North America, resources and now the French).

Reply 1 Like

click to expand...

Mike isn’t an American but he understood what can make Jeep and Ram more profitable.
What I don’t like about Mike, is that he poached the plans to make Alfa more recognizable.

I agree. He understood Americans is my point. My worry, that special, intuitive perspective is lost. I see the Chrysler thing, the Alfa Romeo thing and the Lancia thing as biggest challenges ahead. Alfa and Chrysler have new people. Hope they succeed.

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