Fiat News: Head Of Fiat North America Leaves

[William Maley]

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Laura Soave, the head of the Fiat in North America, is leaving the company. Soave oversaw the return of Fiat in North America with 500. However flagging sales, slow dealer network expansion and marketing disasters (see Jeniffer Lopez ads) have cause Soave to leave.

Through October, Fiat has only sold 15,826 500s. A far cry from the 50,000 500s goal for 2011. The news is made even worse when Automotive News reports that 29 out of the 150 Fiat dealers didn't sell one 500 last month.

Soave's replacement is Timothy Kuniskis. Kuniskis previous position was Director of Product Marketing for Chrysler and Fiat.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Press Release is on Page 2

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Chrysler Group Appoints Timothy Kuniskis Head of Fiat Brand for North America

November 21, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today named Timothy Kuniskis Head of the Fiat Brand for North America. Kuniskis most recently served as Director for both the Chrysler Brand and Fiat Brand Product Marketing. The move is effective immediately.

In his new role, Kuniskis is responsible for the Fiat Brand in North America which includes leadership for Fiat Brand sales, marketing, dealer network and service. He will continue the reintroduction of the iconic brand including its newest vehicle the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth.

"Tim brings broad expertise and leadership in dealer operations and marketing where he has been already working with the team to shape the direction of the Fiat Brand," said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC. "As North American Head of Fiat, much of his immediate focus will be working with the dealer body where his fresh perspective from the operational side, as well as that on the commercial side, will begin the Fiat Brand's next chapter."

Kuniskis joined Chrysler in 1992 and since then has held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the Company's business center operations and marketing organization.

Laura Soave has left the Company and will pursue other interests

View full article

[daves87rs]

Ouch..

[Blake Noble]

She can feel free to pursue me anytime.

[67impss]

She can feel free to pursue me anytime.

Now see I was trying to not go there

[Blake Noble]

Now see I was trying to not go there

Ohhh ... trust me, I'll go there and I'll totally trash her like she trashed Fiat's U.S. relaunching.

I will say, though, she'll have to put out better for me than she did for Fiat.

[balthazar]

^ Are you guys talking about the woman above, or someone else not pictured here?

[ocnblu]

Actually I heard she was f@#king ppl inappropriately and that's one reason she was let go.

[z28luvr01]

Good. Someone's head needed to roll. The Jennifer Lopez ads are terrible.

You would think someone from Chrysler would show her

and

as proof that having celebrities in your ads isn't always a great idea.

[Blake Noble]

^ Are you guys talking about the woman above, or someone else not pictured here?

The woman above, although the same of course applies to J-Lo. Don't care about the bad ads, I just care about dat bad ass.

Actually I heard she was f@#king ppl inappropriately and that's one reason she was let go.

Hopefully she's keeping regular business hours after leaving Fiat then. I'll show her things about f@#king inappropriately she couldn't even dream of.

Edited November 22, 2011 by black-knight

[balthazar]

You would think someone from Chrysler would show her

and

as proof that having celebrities in your ads isn't always a great idea.

Agreed on Dion, but Aerosmith wasn't actually in the ad you linked, just the song.

^ Are you guys talking about the woman above, or someone else not pictured here?

The woman above, although the same of course applies to J-Lo. Don't care about the bad ads, I just care about dat bad ass.

Actually I heard she was f@#king ppl inappropriately and that's one reason she was let go.

Hopefully she's keeping regular business hours after leaving Fiat then. I'll show her things about f@#king inappropriately she couldn't even dream of.

Horsey, IMO. To each his own.

[smk4565]

I am not surprise the 500 hasn't sold, it is sort of expensive for what you get. It has some unique Italian styling quirks and I like the fold back cloth roof. But it has about 106 hp and only gets 32 mpg highway. There are 40 mpg cars with more power for less money.

[bobo]

A neighbor bought a white 500. The car is small and cheap, but Fiat has a lot of work to do to overcome a terrible reputation. I'm still surprised they tried to come back here.