Earlier this week Jeep was bragging about how its new European-market place Avenger, the firm’s very first complete EV, was racking up 40,000 orders and outperforming the segment typical. And we know that the Wrangler 4xe has proved phenomenally effective for the brand. But the larger image is significantly less fairly. Jeep sales for 2022 have been down 13 % year-on-year to 1.1 million, representing the lowest total for the brand because 2014. And factors do not appear any significantly less ugly in 2023: sales are down a additional 12 % in the very first half of the year.

There are external elements at function right here, like a lot much more intensive competitors from rivals, such as Ford, whose Bronco is a direct threat to the fabled Wrangler, and a lack of EVs in the lineup. But, a lot like sports group coaches, auto organization CEOs know the buck stops with them, and this week Jeep announced that its leading man, Christian Meunier, would be replaced by Antonio Filosa.

Meunier arrived from Infiniti in 2019 and has presided more than the introduction of some essential goods such as the new Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer, Wrangler 4xe and the Avenger. And there are much more coming, like the Recon, a challenging electric Jeep. But Jeep now says the French exec, whose resumé lists stints at Ford, Land Rover, Mercedes and Nissan, will ‘take a long break to focus on personal interests.’

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Replacing him is Antonio Filosa, formerly a massive cheese in Stellantis’ South American operation, but whose connection to the automaker stretches back to his very first Fiat gig in 1999. Since leaving Stellantis in 2021 Filosa has been North American CEO at Italian style firm Marcolin Group.

Stellantis in addition utilized the very same announcement to reveal that its India and Asia Pacific COO, Carl Smiley, would also be stepping aside ‘to prioritize his private life.’ More individual stuff? Well, what ever the actual purpose for Smiley’s departure, he’s becoming replaced by Ashwani Muppasani, president of Stellantis’ China National Sales Company because July 2022.