Mike Koval Jr. Departs Stellantis After Two Decades of Leadership

After more than 20 years at Stellantis and its predecessor companies, longtime executive Mike Koval Jr. has officially left the automaker. His departure, effective Friday, marks another high-profile leadership shake-up under new Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, who has been reshaping the management team in the wake of slumping sales and ongoing production challenges.

A Career Spanning Ram, Mopar, and Jeep® –

Koval’s career is a story of steady advancement through some of Stellantis’ most important brands. He began his journey at Chrysler, working in various marketing and operations roles before rising into leadership.

In 2021, he became CEO of the Ram brand, steering the truck division through a period of steady sales success and growing market share. Under his watch, Ram built a reputation for delivering high-quality pickups and maintaining its place as a serious contender against Ford and Chevrolet in the highly competitive U.S. truck market.

Two years later, in 2023, he was tapped to lead Mopar in North America, the division responsible for parts, service, and accessories. That move came as Stellantis shuffled executives across multiple brands, with Tim Kuniskis taking over Ram. Koval then shifted again in early 2024, this time to Jeep, where he became Senior Vice President and Head of Global Sales Operations.

Transition at Jeep –

Koval’s latest role came at a critical moment for Jeep. The brand, long considered Stellantis’ crown jewel in the U.S., has been navigating slowing demand, high pricing complaints, and gaps in its lineup. While Jeep managed a slight sales increase in the second quarter of 2024, overall sales for the first half of the year were still down 5% compared to the year prior—far off the record levels of just a few years ago.

Taking over for Koval is Richard Cox, another Stellantis veteran who has held senior positions in revenue management, corporate planning, and business development. Cox also brings experience from Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, and Chrysler Canada. His task will be to stabilize Jeep’s sales performance and rebuild momentum at a time when the brand is facing intense competition and internal pressure to deliver profits.

What His Departure Means for Stellantis –

Koval’s exit is part of a broader pattern. Since Filosa took over as Stellantis CEO in June, the company has experienced several leadership changes across its global divisions. The moves reflect Filosa’s effort to put his own team in place as Stellantis works to rebound in its most critical markets, including the United States.

For Stellantis, the U.S. is where profits are made. Brands like Ram and Jeep are central to that success, and executives like Koval have played a major role in guiding them through a turbulent decade of industry changes. His departure signals both the challenges Stellantis faces and the urgency behind the leadership reshuffle.

Moving Forward – 

While Stellantis publicly thanked Koval for his service and wished him well, no details were provided on his next steps. Given his decades of experience across trucks, parts, and SUVs, it would not be surprising to see him resurface in another leadership role within the auto industry.

Koval’s legacy is tied to his ability to successfully guide multiple Stellantis divisions during times of change. From overseeing Ram’s rise in sales to leading Mopar and then Jeep’s global operations, he leaves behind a career that has shaped some of Stellantis’ most important brands.