Chrysler names Kuniskis head of Fiat brand in North America

Chrysler Group LLC, the U.S. automaker majority owned by Fiat SpA, named Tim Kuniskis head of the Fiat brand in North America.

Laura Soave, who joined Chrysler in 2010 as the previous Fiat North America brand head, has left the company to “pursue other interests,” the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker said today in a statement.

Soave supervised Chrysler’s efforts to bring the Fiat brand back to the U.S. after nearly 30 years with the 500 small car. North America sales of the Fiat 500 through October totaled 21,380, short of Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne’s forecast of 50,000 deliveries. The rollout was held back by Chrysler’s decision to create new stores for Fiat instead of using space within Chrysler dealerships.

Kuniskis, who joined the automaker in 1992, had most recently served as director for both the Chrysler brand and Fiat brand product marketing. In his new role, he is responsible for the Fiat brand’s sales, marketing, dealer network and service.

Marchionne is CEO of both Chrysler and Fiat.