Chrysler Ram Brand Is Born

As we reported in the beginning of the month, American manufacturer Chrysler and its Italian ally Fiat were considering splitting the Dodge brand and create a separate one, namely the Ram. The then rumor was confirmed today by Chrysler, as Dodge will now spawn the Dodge Car and the Dodge Ram brands.

“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations. This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand,” Sergion Marchionne, Chrysler's CEO said in the release announcing the split.

As a result of the split, Chrysler is now forced to make some management changes as well. The biggest surprise is the departure of Michael Accavitti, head of the Dodge Brand, who left "to pursue other interests."

The CEO of the Dodge Car brand will be Ralph Gilles (who will additionally continue to be the chief of Chrysler's Group Product Design), while the Dodge Ram brand will be headed by Fred Diaz Jr., who will also be the head of the sales organization in the US.

Additionally, Michael Manley, Jeep Brand CEO will also take on the role of lead executive for the international activities outside NAFTA, as the man in charge with "implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat’s international distribution network."

The creation of the Ram brand, which will be made up of the company's truck line, is part of Chrysler's newly adopted five year business plan, a plan which most likely hides several other surprises.