Dejá vu? Dodge's CEO is gone

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Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

• Dodge's CEO, Tim Kuniskis, is retiring after 32 years, raising questions about its future direction.

• Is being a CEO thankless? We dive into this complex topic.

• Bold and feisty. Sergio Marchionne's bold leadership tried to revitalize Chrysler post-bankruptcy.

• Eaton’s legacy is marred by the disastrous Daimler-Chrysler merger, but was this granted?

• Newsbites: Major automotive industry updates include GM and LG's $150 million settlement over Chevy Volt batteries, Volkswagen's stalled EV talks with Renault, and Kia testing a potential rival to the F-150 Lightning.

• We cover the best years of the Jeep YJ, beloved for its blend of modern and classic features.

• Many are curious if octane boosters can replace premium gas; our research provides the definitive answer to this cost-saving query.
  
  

KERN’S CORNER

Dodge’s CEO left in a curious repeat of history

Dodge's CEO, Tim Kuniskis, is retiring after 32 years. 

It's an interesting time for Dodge (and Chrysler and many of the Stellantis brands). Once an icon of raw power and performance, it is now switching to EVs like everyone else. 

However, if many people ask for gasoline-powered cars, they will produce them. 

It's very complicated. Here's our article on the topic. 

When Kuniskis announced his retirement, I noticed something: an admirable accomplishment for any automotive CEO. 

Even more so if you lead a former icon such as Dodge. 

Can you guess what it is? 

Nobody hated Kuniskis. 

Granted, some people didn't like him, but there was no downright hate. 

And that's hard to do. 

Kuniskis went against the grain. When most brands were looking to reduce their engine sizes, he produced the Hellcat. 

Then, he gave the Hellcat more power just because. 

Credit where credit is due. Kuniskis also worked on developing these engines (combustion and electric), producing 500 hp. 

So, he also went with the times. 

It's not an easy job leading companies such as Dodge and Ram. 

Imagine keeping these brands alive when the parent company focuses on small, profitable econoboxes in Europe. 

At least, he tried. 

This Reddit thread debates why he left. (It's a Stellantis' employees thread, which is fascinating).

Whatever the reason, he's no longer at the helm, and we wonder if Dodge and Chrysler have a future. 

Hindsight is 20/20, right?

It's not easy being an automotive CEO. Almost no one will like you, but this article isn't a pity party because compensation packages exist.

However, there's detail. Car fans are weird. 

We tend to think in absolutes. 

Ask anyone about the cigar-smoking, straight-shooting car czar Bob Lutz. Most will say he did a great job. 

Here’s a list of all the cars he worked on. 

However, this piece blames him for almost destroying GM.

Then, you mention the name Robert Eaton in conversation, and some people get acid reflux. 

For example, here is a comment from a YouTube channel. 

Check out the channel's video on history's 10 worst automotive CEOs, and let me know what you think of the list. 

At the same time, there are case studies analyzing whether Robert Eaton wasn't actually that bad. Some go as far as saying he was a good CEO. 

Dodge and Chrysler (in their many iterations) have had a fair share of strange CEOs. 

A Lasting Legacy, Literally

Imagine being called a "shark in a sweater" the day after you die. 

Talk about building a reputation. 

Such was the case of Sergio Marchionne. 

He became CEO of Chrysler right after the American company had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. 

That's not an easy job.

There was a lot of pressure from all sides. 

Some people didn't support the billions injected into the automotive industry. 

Others wanted the brands to survive and thrive, which was nearly impossible. 

Whatever the challenge, Marchionne wasn't afraid. 

This wasn't his first rodeo. 

He had already revitalized struggling Fiat and made it a successful business. 

So, as soon he took over the job at Chrysler, Marchionne's presence was felt. 

He replaced all upper management staff in a matter of days. (Some say it only took him two days)

And it seemed to work. In Marchionne's first three years as CEO, sales went from 198,446 to 334,975. 

Not only that, he rabidly criticized the very same loans that had kept Chrysler alive. 

By the way, his "apology" is one of the best in the world. 

Even so, he believed in the brand. Here's what he said about the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

It was of a quality that nobody thought that Chrysler could produce. The one that we launched this week, the remake of the Grand Cherokee, is one step forward in the refinement of that car.

I recommend you listen to the entire interview. It's excellent. 

Marchionne was as complex a character as any in fiction. 

People in Italy loved him and threw a ceremony in honor of him after his death. 

Others hated him for Americanizing the most Italian brand of all, FIAT. 

Internally, people loathed him. After all, he had the distinction of firing a manager per day. 

He even faced corruption charges. 

Still, when he died, many wondered, "what would've happened?"

He was right about one thing: Chrysler was hard to manage. It's always been this way. 

Bob Eaton: Justified Hate?

Ah, Robert "Bob" Eaton. 

Why so much hate?

Many, including Bob Lutz, blame him for Chrysler's demise, but it's not that simple. You can't pin the blame only on him. 

After all, during the early 90s, Eaton had corrected Chrysler's downfall. 

On the other hand, he was a major part of the worst automotive merger in history. 

In 1998, Daimler-Benz and Chrysler merged as "equals," for $36 billion. 

By the way, $36 billion would place the deal in the 102nd position on the global GDP scale. 

Let's face it. Chrysler was becoming a part of Daimler-Benz. There were no equals.  

Daimler-Benz's work culture seeped and caused growing pains. 

The Germans viewed Chrysler as a free-for-all risk-taker. The Americans saw the Germans as highly conservative. 

So, the mix didn't work or yield the money needed to sustain it. 

Again, 102nd in the GDP ranking. 

Chrysler's performance and control in the merger soon plummeted. Right then, people began criticizing Eaton for selling out to Daimler. 

Here's where we must tread with caution. Eaton had a challenging time, plus he stabilized sales. 

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian had attempted a corporate takeover with none other than former Chrysler GM Lee Iaccoca. 

By the way, Iaccoca didn't get along with Eaton (to put it mildly). 

Plus, Iaccoca was beloved. Eaton wasn't. Many saw him as too cautious. 

Eaton was in a difficult position. To stave off the takeover, Eaton sold to Daimler, but as this article states, that came at a heavy price. 

The buyer ultimately destroyed Chrysler's entrepreneurial corporate culture, said former Chrysler Executive Vice President Francois Castaing.

Eaton "gave away the company to the Germans," Castaing said. "He created a dynamic that destroyed Chrysler." 

Eaton retired in 2000. Many viewed his retirement as simply taking advantage of the massive compensation package and stock options he had been given. 

After all, the consequences of the failed merger appeared almost immediately after he left. 

It was so bad that by 2007, Daimler-Benz decided to dissolve the merger and sold all the assets to a private firm. The final value was $7.4 billion, and a serious legal problem.  

Granted, Eaton is not all at fault here. Perhaps it's the brands. They're cursed. 

Still, he did lead one of the worst mergers in history, and that's hard to shake off.

Marchionne loved the 2010 Grand Cherokee, but which are the best years? Read our article to find out!

BEST AND WORST

What are the best and worst years for the Jeep YJ?

We love the Jeep YJ here at Four Wheel Trends. It’s a great combination of modern (for the time) technology and classic looks. 

However, it wasn’t perfect. Some years were prone to rust and others come with the gadgets you need to make driving comfortable. 

Here are the best and worst years for the Jeep YJ.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

Can I use Octane boosters instead of premium gas?

In recent years, gas prices soared, and everyone was looking for ways to save a few bucks.

Currently, the prices have stabilized, but people still want to find as many ways as possible to reduce expenses.

So, many wonder if they can use octane booster instead of premium gas. We researched the topic and here’s the answer!

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• LG and GM agree to a $150 million fund for faulty Chevy Volt batteries

• Volkswagen walks away from EV talks with Renault

• Is this the F-150 Lightning rival we want? Oh, and it’s a KIA?