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Mopar boss promoted at FCA, still runs Mopar

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is appointing Pietro Gorlier as its new chief operating officer for components. The change in title is effective June 30 and means that he reports directly to Sergio Marchionne. He already runs Mopar globally. Gorlier is replacing Eugenio Razelli, who is leaving the automaker. Even with the new position, Gorlier continues to be the boss at Mopar and retains his seat on FCA's global executive council, which is the company's top decision-making group. This is essentially one more step up the ladder for the Turin-born executive. Gorlier became CEO of Mopar service, parts, and customer care for FCA US in 2009 and took over that role worldwide in 2011. FCA announces new appointment Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU / MI: FCA) announced today that effective June 30, 2015, Pietro Gorlier is appointed Chief Operating Officer Components reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne. Mr. Gorlier will also retain his current responsibilities as Head of Parts & Service (MOPAR) and member of the Group Executive Council. Mr. Gorlier will succeed Eugenio Razelli, who elected to leave the Group after several years of dedicated service. "We extend our sincere appreciation to Eugenio for his leadership and contribution to the organization" said Sergio Marchionne. Pietro Gorlier is Head of Parts & Service (MOPAR) and a member of the Group Executive Council (GEC) since September 1, 2011. He joined the Group in 1989 in Iveco and held various positions in Logistics, After Sales, and Customer Care before joining the automobile business in 2006 in Network Development. He holds a Master of Economics from the University of Turin. London, 18 May 2015 Related Video: News Source: FCA Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Chrysler Fiat FCA fiat chrysler automobiles fca us

Shasta County woman leads police on totally groovy chase

Would you lead police on a high-speed chase through town for a Scooby Snack? A Shasta County woman did just that over the weekend in her very own Mystery Machine. On Sunday, March 6, a Shasta County probation officer contacted the Redding, CA police department about Sharon Kay Turman who was wanted for violating probation, PIX 11 reported. After a short search, police located Turman near the intersection of California and Shasta streets at the wheel of a 1994 Chrysler minivan painted up like the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo. Redding police attempted to stop Turman, but she apparently had an important mystery to investigate and she fled the scene. She sped down South Market Street with Redding Police in hot pursuit, running a red light and hitting four other vehicles in an intersection. This didn't stop the Mystery Machine however, and RPD broke off their chase as she entered southbound Highway 273. A California Highway Patrol helicopter picked her up on Hill Drive just north of Anderson, CA and she was pursued through town by Anderson PD at speeds in excess of 100 mph. She eventually abandoned the Mystery Machine on California Highway 36 and fled on foot. Turman's whereabouts, and the status of the Scooby Snacks, are currently unknown. She is wanted by both the Redding Police Department and Shasta County Probation. Both agencies told KRCRTV that they are asking anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact them. Related Video

The Chrysler brand could be axed under Stellantis management

MILAN — While running NissanÂ’s North American operations from 2009 to 2011, Carlos Tavares had a reputation for closely watching costs with little tolerance for vehicles or ventures that didnÂ’t make money. Experts say that means Tavares, currently the head of PSA Group, is likely to follow that blueprint when he becomes leader of a merged PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The low-performing Chrysler brand might get the axe as could slow-selling cars, SUVs or trucks that lack potential. Already the companies are talking about consolidating vehicle platforms — the underpinnings and powertrains — to save billions in engineering and manufacturing costs. That could mean job losses in Italy, Germany and Michigan as PSA Peugeot technology is integrated into North American and Italian vehicles. “You canÂ’t be cost efficient if you keep the entire scale of both companies,” said Karl Brauer, executive analyst for the iSeeCars.com auto website. “WeÂ’ve seen this show before, and weÂ’re going to see it again where they economize these platforms across continents, across multiple markets.” Shareholders of both companies are to meet Monday to vote on the merger to form the worldÂ’s fourth-largest automaker, to be called Stellantis. The deal received EU regulatory approval just before Christmas. Tavares, who for years has wanted to sell PSA vehicles in the U.S., wonÂ’t take full control of the merged companies until the end of January at the earliest. He likely will target Europe for consolidation first, because thatÂ’s where Fiat vehicles overlap extensively with PSAÂ’s, said IHS Markit Principal Auto Analyst Stephanie Brinley. Europe has been a money-loser for FCA, and factories in Italy are operating way below capacity — a concern for unions, given FiatÂ’s role as the largest private sector employer in the country. “We are at a crossroads,Â’Â’ said Michele De Palma of the FIOM CGIL metalworkersÂ’ union. “Either there is a relaunch, or there is a slow agonizing closure of industry, in particular the auto industry, in Italy.” ItalyÂ’s hopes lie with the luxury Maserati and sporty Alfa Romeo brands, but De Palma said investments are needed to bring hybrid and electric technology up to speed. FiatÂ’s Italian capacity stands at 1.5 million vehicles, but only a few hundred thousand are being produced each year. Most factories were on rolling short-term layoffs due to lack of demand, even before the pandemic.