Tim Fallon To Lead Stellantis North America Manufacturing

Stellantis has appointed Tim Fallon as the new Head of Manufacturing in North America, a strategic move as the automaker gears up for a significant wave of electric vehicle (EV) launches. Fallon brings with him a wealth of experience, having most recently served as Rivian’s Vice President of Manufacturing. He is set to officially assume his new role on September 2, 2024.

Fallon’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Stellantis, which is preparing to introduce several all-electric models to the North American market. These launches include the Jeep® Wagoneer S (KX), Dodge Charger Daytona (LB), Jeep Recon (EJ), and Ram 1500 REV (DT).

Carlos Zarlenga, Stellantis’ Chief Operating Officer for North America, expressed confidence in Fallon’s abilities to lead the manufacturing division through this transformative period. “Tim brings his relentless pursuit of operational excellence and a strong track record of manufacturing experience, including electric vehicle production, to Stellantis as we enter this critical stage of our transformation,” said Zarlenga. “With this year marking the start of our EV offensive, I have full confidence that Tim’s passion and collaborative spirit will lead the team to deliver the highest quality vehicles for our customers.”

Before joining Rivian, Fallon spent over 16 years at Nissan Motor Co., where he held various leadership roles in manufacturing, including Vice President of Manufacturing at the company’s Canton, Mississippi plant. At Rivian, Fallon was instrumental in ramping up production at the automaker’s facility in Normal, Illinois, which has been central to Rivian’s production efforts for its electric trucks and SUVs.

Stellantis’ decision to bring Fallon on board is timely, given the manufacturing challenges the company has been facing in the region. CEO Carlos Tavares recently highlighted issues at U.S. assembly plants, specifically pointing to the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan, which produces the Ram 1500. The plant has been producing a high volume of vehicles requiring repairs before they can be shipped to dealerships, a situation Stellantis is keen to rectify as it increases its EV production.

Mike Resha, who has served as the Head of North America Manufacturing since 2020, will transition to a global role overseeing Injection and Stamping Operations. Resha has been with Stellantis for several years and was previously responsible for the company’s Global Press Shops and Dies. His leadership was particularly noted during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent semiconductor chip shortage, where he ensured that Stellantis’ operations remained functional under challenging circumstances.

As Stellantis moves forward with its electrification strategy, Fallon’s extensive experience in both traditional and EV manufacturing is expected to play a pivotal role in the company’s launches of these new electrified vehicles.