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Jeep and Ram could be spun off from FCA, says Marchionne

Jeep is surely the biggest single feather left in the cap of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles portfolio. Under Sergio Marchionne's leadership, Jeep went from fewer than 500,000 annual sales in 2008 to 1.4 million in 2016, and is on track for 2 million by 2018. Add in the brand's legacy, status as one of the most recognizable nameplates in the world, and rabid fan base, and Jeep has extraordinary monetary value to its parent company. Investors and analysts have certainly noticed Jeep's inherent value. According to The Detroit Free Press, Morgan Stanley's Adam Jonas asked FCA chief Sergio Marchionne if he would ever consider spinning Jeep and Ram, FCA's dedicated truck brand, into a separate corporate entity, and he responded with a simple "Yes." Jonas estimated Jeep's worth in January of this year at $22 billion. Ram was valued at $11.2 billion. Marchionne has a history of spinning off brands while keeping them part of FCA's corporate umbrella. The most noteworthy example of this value maximization was with Ferrari, which now trades on the New York Stock Exchange and rakes in $3.4 billion in annual revenue and close to $435 million in net income, reports the Free Press. Marchionne still serves as chairman and CEO of Ferrari, and Fiat heir John Elkann owns 22 percent of the Italian marque's shares. Even if the offloading of Jeep and Ram into a separate entity would amount to little more than a profit-driven ownership change on paper, it would be huge news to the brands' loyal fanbases. In any case, such a move would likely take years to actually happen and probably wouldn't mean much at all to the products that Jeep and Ram produce. In other words, Jeep fans can keep the pitchforks in the shed ... for now. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

FCA recalling 323,000 cars for wiring, software issues

The Basics: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a voluntary recall for an estimated 323,361 cars in the US. The affected vehicles were built after September 23, 2014 and include: the 2015 Chrysler 200, Ram ProMaster City, Jeep Renegade, and 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokees. The Problem: An insufficient crimp in the vehicles' wiring harness may result in a solenoid fault code, which could cause the engine to stop. The loss of power could lead to an accident. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: FCA will update the affected vehicles' software and replace wire harnesses, as needed. According to FCA, owners that experience the problem can temporarily resolve the issue by restarting the vehicle. If you own one: FCA is reaching out to owners to schedule a service. Related Video: Statement: Wire Harness Crimp July 22, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 323,361 vehicles in the U.S. to update certain software and replace wire harnesses, as needed. An examination of warranty data led to an FCA US investigation that discovered an insufficient crimp in a wire harness. Such a crimp may lead to a solenoid fault code that can cause propulsion loss. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. Most vehicles in the recall population will not experience this fault code over their lifetimes. However, should the condition occur, it can typically be temporarily resolved by stopping the vehicle and re-starting its engine. Accordingly, FCA US urges customers to heed the instructions on their recall notices. Affected are certain model-year 2015 Chrysler 200 midsize sedans, Ram ProMaster City small vans, Jeep Renegade and Cherokee SUVs. Certain model-year 2014 Cherokees are also affected. A change made in the harness-manufacturing process eliminates the need to recall any vehicle built after Sept. 23, 2014. An estimated 35,511 additional vehicles in Canada are included in the campaign; as are 7,067 in Mexico; and 43,927 outside the NAFTA region. Customers will be advised when they may schedule service. Those with questions may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403. News Source: FCAImage Credit: AOL Recalls Chrysler Jeep RAM FCA jeep renegade ram promaster city

FCA names Mike Manley head of Ram brand

Sergio Marchionne seems to revel in shifting the numerous portfolios of the senior executives who work under him. Case in point: the latest round of hat-swapping announced by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Several appointments have been made at the top levels of the group, chief among them a new head of the Ram truck brand. That role will now fall to Mike Manley, who will also retain his responsibilities for the Jeep brand and as COO for the Asia-Pacific region. With his hands busy enough as it is, we'd imagine that much of the day-to-day will fall to Robert Hegbloom. He had Manley's new job until now – but will still remain head of the Ram brand for North America, where the bulk of its business is conducted. Along with the shift in leadership for the Ram brand, FCA also named Reid Bigland as head of fleet operations for North America. Bigland is also responsible for sales in the same region, and for the Alfa Romeo brand here as well. The company also named Tim Kuniskis to the Group Executive Council, charged with overseeing all the passenger-car brands in North America – including Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat. While it was at it, FCA also named Al Gardner as head of network development for North America, and Jason Stoicevich as Bigland's deputy for US fleet and small-business sales. All these appointments take effect immediately. FCA US ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES October 5, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US today announced several leadership team moves in support of changes at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) Group Executive Council (GEC) level. The moves were made to ensure proper representation of all of FCA's major brands on the GEC, the highest management level decision making body within the FCA organization. Earlier today, the following moves were announced at the GEC level. - Mike Manley is appointed Head of Ram Brand. Manley will retain his current GEC responsibilities as APAC Chief Operating Officer and Head of Jeep Brand. - Reid Bigland is appointed Head of NAFTA Fleet. Bigland will continue his current GEC responsibility for NAFTA Sales & Alfa Romeo. - Timothy Kuniskis becomes a member of the GEC and assumes responsibility for NAFTA Passenger Car Brands, consisting of Dodge and SRT, Chrysler and FIAT. In addition, the following appointments were made to the North American leadership team. - Robert Hegbloom continues as Head of Ram Brand for North America, now reporting to Manley.