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Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis delays 1500 REV electric pickup in strategy shakeup

Kuniskis' return signals a significant shift at Stellantis in a post-Tavares era.

Ram‘s former CEO, Tim Kuniskis, returns from a short-lived retirement to course-correct and rebuild the Ram brand. In a significant move on his first day back in the role, Kuniskis delayed the brand’s first fully electric pickup, the 1500 REV, to 2026 due to weak demand in the segment. As a result, the Ramcharger, a hybrid model, will launch first.

At the Detroit Auto Show, Kuniskis explained that the decision was straightforward. This move marks one of the first substantial adjustments at Stellantis prior to former CEO Carlos Tavares’ exit in December.

Stellantis, now under an interim executive committee, seeks to rebuild its operations through top-tier talent and empowering leaders to own their region’s business. COO Antonio Filosa has been committed to improving relations with dealers and unions, particularly the UAW, which had previously clashed with Tavares over labor issues and controversial cost-cutting measures.

Filosa’s reinstatement of Kuniskis and reassignment of Jeff Kommar to U.S. head of sales is part of a larger strategy to restructure and strengthen the company’s leadership. Stellantis is counting on Kuniskis’ return as CEO to rebuild the brand and help recover from the setbacks faced in 2024, particularly Ram’s 19% sales decline. Under his leadership, Ram is expected to strengthen its focus on small business owners, particularly in selling heavy-duty trucks and the ProMaster van. The brand also plans to enter the passenger van market, which it has previously not participated in.

A key challenge for Ram moving forward is its lack of a midsize pickup truck, a gap in the market that Kuniskis aims to address in the coming years. However, his immediate priority is to resolve production issues with the refreshed Ram 1500 pickup.

He acknowledged the potential impact of missing the popular Hemi V-8 engine in some models, noting that pricing, incentives, and advertising strategies would be evaluated if sales did not improve.

While Kuniskis works to steady the ship at Ram, Stellantis’ broader restructuring efforts aim to reverse its fortunes and regain market share.

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Jasmine Daniel
Jasmine Daniel
Jasmine Daniel is a staff writer and reporter for CBT News. She holds a BFA in Writing from the Savannah College of Art & Design and has over eight years of experience in SEO, digital marketing, and strategic communication. Her storytelling skills bring breaking news to life, delivering timely, impactful stories that resonate with readers.

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