Jim Press named Chrysler deputy CEO, new management structure announced
06/10/2009, 1:40 PM
By Drew Johnson
Jim Press – Chrysler’s former co-president – might have been questioning his decision to move from Toyota to Chrysler in 2007 in recent weeks, but the automotive exec’s career is safe as Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has named Press the deputy CEO of the reborn Chrysler.
Additionally, Fiat has announced quite a shakeup in the Chrysler management structure. Steve Landry – Chrysler’s head of sales and service – and Frank Klegon – Chrysler’s head of product development – are out and a whole new management system is in.
Under the old Chrysler, the automaker’s three brands – Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep – were all vertically integrated. However, Fiat has now separate all parts of Chrysler—including its Mopar parts division – with executives heading up each division. The new setup largely mirrors Fiat’s management style with its Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands.
Under the new system, Peter Fong will be the CEO of the Chrysler brand. Fong was previously director of Chrysler’s Mid-Atlantic Business Center, according to Automotive News.
Michael Manley, Chrysler’s former executive vice president of international sales, has been named CEO of the Jeep brand.
Chrysler brand marketing boss Michael Accavitti will head up the automaker’s Dodge division.
Lastly, Pietro Gorlier will act as president and CEO of Mopar Service and Parts and Customer Services. Gorlier is the only outsider heading up a Chrysler division, coming from Fiat and Case New Holland.
Effective immediately, the newly appointed CEOs will be responsible for the profits and losses of their respective divisions.



06/10, 1:47 PM
posted by:
bdizzlefizzle
Good moves all around. Press is a fantastic auto exec and was being underutilized before.
06/10, 1:52 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I like it. And so much for the Chrysler brand disappearing.
06/10, 2:06 PM
posted by:
rpiotr01
Chrysler brand I suppose isn’t disappearing, just every model currently sold under the brand name except for the Town & Country and the 300C.
06/10, 3:01 PM
posted by:
Borat
Johnny, I would not worry about Chrysler brand disappearing. It is akin to GM: there is no GM brand and GM company.
06/10, 3:16 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I oddly am very much supporting these moves, color me impressed. I like Press and excited he didn’t get the door. the ONE thing I was worried about. Unlike GM’s choice, I see Press taking this company
somewhere.
He’s gold – he already made changes in his first year that usually takes years, like the Journey’s interior was supposed to be more like the Compass – he said no and improved the materials before it hit the showroom. He did the same with the Patriot and the 08 to 09’s interior can’t even be compared. This guy is my kind of guy – he’s fast and you can see things changing fast!
06/10, 3:47 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
i see a lot of Kaizens and pdca in my future,
06/10, 3:56 PM
posted by:
chryslercurse
Press is nothing but a ass
06/10, 4:00 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Why?
06/10, 4:20 PM
posted by:
DB9
lol:-)) What’s needed is new young blood – this old bugger been around the biz since… Not going to really matter much anywho – in three years chryco will be gone – mark/save this post;-)) Truth hurts but.. just saying:-)
DB9
06/10, 4:35 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Why would anyone seriously want to “mark/save this post”? DB9 at the end of the day you must really be worn out from stroking that ego of yours.
06/10, 4:48 PM
posted by:
No More Oil For Toyota
DB9-if i could put money down on your claim i would. folks have been saying Chrysler would die in 2003…shoot, every year someone claims its the end of the road for Chrysler…..
06/10, 5:14 PM
posted by:
No More Oil For Toyota
^^..money down against your claim..^^
06/10, 5:35 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I kind of agree with No More Oil For Toyota – I mean, they been called to die as far back as 1978’s oil embargo and they always find a way back. I trust Press more than anyone right now to take them there – he’s got the wherewithal to actually do it.
Did I mention I’m happy to see him kept on?
06/10, 5:39 PM
posted by:
BuyUSA
Chrysler has a long history of almost dying. FIrst it was in the 1930’s with the Airflow that was deemed to futuristic, which was really a breakthrough in terms of styling and safety that changed the industry . Then they almost went BK in 1954. The next year they introduced the forward look cars with Hemi engines that were a big hit with the public, and saved the company. Then in 1979 they almost went BK, introduced the K-cars and the minivan which saved the company, and later the cab-foward designs in ‘92 that brought them real success. Then after Daimler took over and they were in trouble again, they brought out the 300 and Ram with Hemi engines and their numbers and market share shot up for a little while. Now what they need is the 200C and the rest of the EV lineup to start hitting showrooms. That should do the trick this time.
06/10, 5:56 PM
posted by:
BuyUSA
What this company needs is another Lee Iacocca. Is Jim Press that man? I don’t know. But Dr. Z certainly wasn’t and neither is Marchionne.
06/10, 6:00 PM
posted by:
DB9
^You left out that they finally did go bankrupt
Furthermore, they gave operational control of the company to Fiat for… well… nothing, and if that were not enough, Fiat’s management have publicly stated that they will not put any money into it;-) The gov got what they wanted more time… say 3 years tops. Want to buy shares or a partnership slice? I’m sure the chryco veba will be only too happy to indulge you for a price;-)
DB9
PS. As for: ^^..money down against your claim..^^ show me the money? Figurative $’s doesn’t cut the…
06/10, 6:27 PM
posted by:
No More Oil For Toyota
DB9, thats why i wrote ,’if i could” all my money is going to bailing out GM right now. i only have figurative bucks on this site so i’ll just take your suggestion and ‘mark/save this post’ and wait. As BuyUSA mentioned Chrysler history is all ups and downs, it’s actually the most interesting of all Domestic brands. for some reason, they just cant stay consistent but i do consider them to be the ‘ballsiest’ of the Big 3. As far as Press, I cant judge the guy just yet but i think it was really good to keep him.
06/10, 6:36 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
^^^^ >>>DB9<<< I’ll bet you “$$$1 Million$$$” Internet :$ Bucks: $
:O
;O ^^^^
06/10, 7:16 PM
posted by:
BuyUSA
Actually there were a couple other times I forgot to mention, back in ‘62 they were in real trouble because they downsized their whole lineup on the false rumour that GM and Ford were doing the same for ‘62. Maybe they were given bad information, I don’t know. Once that happened, full-size shoppers started flocking to GM and Ford and Chrysler was in a panic mode and stuck with mostly unusual looking cars for 3-4 years with very low sales. But what really started the whole thing of why the company has a bad reputation today, started back with the ‘57 models they hurried to production. They were stylish and popular with the public, but they were rushed so fast and they unknowingly used bad sheetmetal from postwar Japan, those cars started rusting through within a year or two. They never regained full confidence from buying public after that.
06/10, 8:11 PM
posted by:
DB9
NoMoTo, Chrysler is by far the ballsiest! No one who knows the industry, foreign or domestic would dispute that point. Personally, I hope they make it – the analytical side says they probably will not. Do I say this with malice – NO! Am I alone in saying this? Hardly! I agree with the side that say that Chryco’s fate was sealed when Iacocca picked Eaton over Lutz who in turn delivered Chrysler to… I Love cars, why I’m here, I’ve never owned a Chrysler product and after what Daimler did to them I’ll never own a Benz – and I’m in their key demographic. To think Daimler wants to get all cozy with BMW. Make no mistake the fallout from the global credit market crisis is not over yet. It’s doubtful that BMW, Daimler or Porsche can survive as independents. Porsche was/is trying with VW though this could very well pull them down. Sadly, Aston Martin is in the same position.
An Aside, Damn, I want to see Saab survive… just as they were showing some mojo! I keep thinking Lotus for some reason… they know what its like to be where Saab is now – in more ways than One!
As for Press (62), to be fair He’s never really had a chance to show if He still has the mojo from his Toyota days.
The bet? We’ll keep it figurative – bragging rights (Hope Y’all win;-))
DB9
PS. Jake I’ll see your internet $’s and raise you the same or Shhh… some American Eagle Gold Bullion coins… Don’t tell Impulsive;-)
06/10, 9:15 PM
posted by:
teahead
Good move.
This guy knows what brought Toyota to the #1 position, so we could use his expertise.
Unlike the new GM Chairman who knows NOTHING about cars.
06/10, 9:44 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Much better than Nardelli who did nothing.
06/10, 11:08 PM
posted by:
spg900
BuyUSA- What do you possibly know about Sergio Marchionne to make such a comment?If you have anything of interest, please share.
06/11, 12:17 AM
posted by:
rerone
As a 2005 300C owner, I can not imagine a situation in which I would buy another new Chrysler. The car has had more than its fair share of problems. I should have listened to Consumer’s Reports. That spells major trouble for the reborn or still-born Chrysler.