Chrysler announces management changes along with SRT brand

Chrysler has just announced that the Street and Racing Technology division will be split off into its own cross-brand unit, moving former Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles to the head the new high performance brand but along with this move, Chrysler has made a handful of other management changes with an impact across North America.

As TorqueNews correspondent John Matras reported a short time ago (click here for his original piece announcing the SRT brand), Ralph Gilles moves from his position as the CEO/President of the Dodge brand to the same position with the newly formed SRT brand. Gilles will retain his position as the head of interior and exterior design for all Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler and SRT vehicles.

The vacancy atop the Dodge brand will be filled by new President and CEO Reid Bigland, who will also serve as the head of US Sales. Bigland is not new to the company, as he currently also serves as the President and CEO of Chrysler Canada – a position which he will retain. However, helping to lighten the loan on Bigland is a newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), David Buckingham. Buckingham comes to this new position after holding the title of VP of sales in Canada.

Next, CEO and President of the Ram Truck brand Fred Diaz has been appointed to the position of President and CEO of Chrysler de Mexico, replacing Joe ChamaSrour. Diaz will continue to hold his position as the top dog at the Ram brand but he will also oversee operations by the Chrysler brand in Latin America and Mexico as the company uses its existing dealership network south of the border to grow foreign market sales.

Finally, Joe ChamaSrour has been reassigned to the International Operations group where he will report directly to Mike Manley, who currently serves as the President and CEO of the Jeep brand as well as heading all International Operations.

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