Stellantis isn’t slowing down. The corporate giant just announced another round of executive reshuffles. Two familiar faces are taking the reins. Matt VanDyke is now the CEO of Ram. Branden Coté is taking over as the head of Jeep. These moves tighten the noose on leadership structure in North America.
How the New Ram CEO Fits In
VanDyke starts his role as Ram CEO immediately. He replaces Tim Kuniskis. Kuniskis had been wearing too many hats since last year. He led Stellantis’ American brands, oversaw North America marketing, handled retail strategy, and watched over Ram. Now, Kuniskis stays in the broader North American leadership seat. VanDyke reports directly to him.
VanDyke brings more than twenty years in the automotive industry. He has led marketing, sales, product planning, and even motorsports. That is a wide net. Stellantis clearly wanted someone who understands the full vehicle lifecycle, not just the badge on the hood.
Branden Coté Takes the Wheel at Jeep
Jeep is on a different track but equally urgent. Branden Coté steps in as CEO on August 3. He succeeds Bob Broderdorf. Broderdorf is taking medical leave. The company promises he will return to a leadership role once he is ready. Coté reports to Kuniskis just like VanDyke does.
Why does this matter right now? Jeep is fighting a decline. Sales have dipped. The brand needs to strengthen its portfolio and win back buyers. Coté has extensive industry experience. He needs to hit the ground running. The pressure is real. Can he reverse the slump? Only time will tell.
The Bigger Picture at Stellantis
Carlo Filosa, the new CEO who took over in 2025 after Carlo Tavares left, is rebuilding the executive bench. These hires are part of a steady reorganization. It has been a year of changes. Filosa is smoothing out the rough edges.
Stellantis needs both brands to perform. Ram is preparing to expand its lineup. New products are coming. The goal is to regain lost sales momentum. Jeep is working to fix its recent slump. These are the company’s most profitable North American assets. They cannot afford to drift.
What This Means for Buyers
Leadership changes do not sell trucks overnight. But they shape the products you will see in dealerships years from now. The separation of day-to-day brand oversight from Kuniskis’ broader strategic role is key. It allows the top brass to focus on the big picture while new leaders fix specific problems.
VanDyke and Coté have heavy lifts ahead. Ram needs to hold its ground. Jeep needs to climb out of the hole it is in. Stellantis has bet on two seasoned veterans. Whether they deliver depends on execution.
The market waits. And it doesn’t care about org charts. It cares about the product. Let’s see what VanDyke and Coté bring to the table.
