Sergio Marchionne Could Step Down From Chrysler’s Helm by 2016

Chrysler’s CEO Sergio Marchionne seems to keep the audience on its toes at every speech he keeps. After the waters were cleared regarding the new executive team that he hand picked, Sergio Marchionne hinted that he will be stepping down from Chrysler’s master helm within five years. During a conference at the 2011 Management Briefing Seminars, Chrysler’s CEO said that future plans will be “up to the guy after me, i think, after 2015, hopefully, maybe a year later."

"Chrysler will be here after me,” he said, as related by autonews.com. As a reminder, Marchionne is currently the CEO of both Chrysler and its controlling shareholder, Fiat S.p.A. Over the last few weeks, he has begun integrating the management teams of the two companies while keeping his position as executive of North America. Marchionne has also cleared his ongoing plan in a meeting with the press.

“I technically can go beyond 2015, I wouldn't focus on the date. I would focus on the process. The process has been designed and I've always believed that my successor needs to come from the inside... and this enlarged management team where we have 22 people of nine nationalities is designed... to be a proving ground for people to sit and manage," Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was quoted as. During a radio program, Marchionne also mentioned that he expects smooth contract with the UAW.

"If anybody starts any type of confrontational process, we're going to undo everything," Marchionne added. Also, he mentioned that the auto industry has the engineers and suppliers to meet U.S. mileage regulations calling for 54.5mpg nu 2025. He expressed his opinion on the regulations as being “very doable”.