Andreas Schell, a German ex-Daimler employee who had decided to stay with Chrysler when the Daimler takeover fell apart, has left his recently-granted post as vehicle line executive for Chrysler’s A and B segment and electric cars to work for an undisclosed company. Schell had been promoted to the important position just weeks ago.
The seemingly abrupt departure surprised colleagues, reports the Detroit News, because his new position would have put him at the forefront of the new Fiat-controlled Chrysler. One of Fiat’s biggest plans is to create new, small Chrysler-badged vehicles based on Fiat platforms. The position also put him in charge of Chrysler’s electric car efforts.
Schell was promoted on June 19, according to Automotive News, when Fiat shook up Chrysler’s management. Previously, he had been the senior manager of the office of CEO under Tom LaSorda and before Cerberus’ involvement in Chrysler. He had been generally praised by colleagues, industry insiders and analysts.
07/07, 9:47 AM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Do you blame him? Chrysler’s A- and B- segment cars are pretty much nonexistent, and any future additions will likely just be badge-engineered versions of Fiat vehicles already in production. How much would there be for him to do? And why would he want to be responsible for vehicles he didn’t have any say in if they fail?
07/07, 9:51 AM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Juuuuust long enough to have a promotion party, sleep with his new secretaries, and stuff enough trade secrets into his briefcase to insure a lovely retirement.
07/07, 10:00 AM
posted by:
DB9
Trade Secrets – LMAO:-))) There has to be something worth stealing/selling! The best that Fiat has to offer it got from its early decade tie up with GM. It wouldn’t even be around today if it were not from the payola from GM’s walk.
While entertaining, Marchionne’s grand design of assembling a global juggernaut/Auto empire with his trade mark – nothing down – is running its course… Good luck to Him – He’s going to need it
DB9;-)
07/07, 10:26 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Maybe they just wouldn’t give him the day off to attend Michael Jackson’s memorial.
07/07, 12:31 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I was all excited about Chrysler EVs. I wonder if those are going to happen now? Actually, I wonder if they will happen sooner, now?
07/07, 12:59 PM
posted by:
Payton Byrd
This isn’t uncommon in the military where an officer will resign over political reasons just after his rival has promoted him to ensure that the departing has a better pension. You know, honor among politicians and all that.
07/07, 1:46 PM
posted by:
volo
“The best that Fiat has to offer it got from its early decade tie up with GM. ” what? unreliability?
07/07, 3:28 PM
posted by:
Borat
Payton, you missed the point that cemeteries are full of officers who never collected dime of pension. Something tells me that you did not mustered time to serve.
07/07, 5:12 PM
posted by:
Payton Byrd
@Borat
What are you talking about? I know several people that are retired military that got forced into retirement over politics and they each magically got promoted right before their discharge which was a gentlemanly way to say thank you for not causing a stink.
07/07, 8:03 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Best time to leave as he was promoted to exec. It looks great on the resume, and is better for finding his next job. Besides, who wants to stay with a losing corporation like Chrysler these days?
07/08, 3:04 AM
posted by:
acura_el2000
He couldn’t stand the thought of being forced to slap a Dodge crosshair grille on the 500….. I don’t blame him