Chris Feuell has abruptly departed her role as CEO of Chrysler and Alfa Romeo North America, with Dodge CEO Matt McAlear immediately taking over both brands. The move comes amid broader leadership changes at Stellantis, as the company seeks to stabilize its North American performance.
Chrysler’s Stagnant Era Under Feuell
Feuell joined Stellantis in 2021 during a critical period for Chrysler, which had already lost key models like the 200 and faced an aging 300 sedan. The brand’s lineup quickly consolidated around the Pacifica minivan, a reliance that persisted throughout her tenure. Despite steady, modest sales of the Pacifica and its Voyager variant, the much-anticipated Chrysler revival failed to materialize.
Key concepts like the Airflow and Halcyon never progressed from show models to production vehicles, underscoring a period of limited innovation. Feuell was briefly assigned additional oversight of Ram and Alfa Romeo, but neither saw significant structural change. In fact, Alfa Romeo sales in North America fell by 36% during her tenure, highlighting the brand’s struggles.
Dodge CEO to Lead Two Brands
Matt McAlear, a 13-year Stellantis veteran, will now lead both Chrysler and Alfa Romeo in addition to his existing role at Dodge. He oversaw the recent launch of the new Dodge Charger and has experience across multiple Stellantis brands, including Chrysler (where he helped launch the Pacifica in 2016).
This appointment comes as part of a wider reshuffle under Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, who took over in 2023. The company has already appointed a new CFO and reorganized sales teams in an effort to improve North American operations.
Why This Matters: The Future of Chrysler and Alfa Romeo
The sudden leadership change suggests Stellantis is dissatisfied with the lack of progress under Feuell. Chrysler’s near-total dependence on minivans is unsustainable in a shrinking segment. Alfa Romeo’s sharp sales decline raises questions about the brand’s long-term viability in North America.
McAlear’s appointment signals a potential shift in strategy, though concrete plans remain unclear. Stellantis is clearly under pressure to deliver results, and the leadership shakeup is a direct response to lagging performance in a critical market. The next steps will determine whether Chrysler and Alfa Romeo can evolve beyond their current limitations or face further decline.
