by Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell exits Stellantis after 2021 hire. Her tenure leaves Chrysler with Pacifica and Voyager only. Dodge boss Matt McAlear now leads Chrysler and Alfa in N.A.
End of an Era for Chrysler
A relatively short and quiet era at Chrysler has come to an end. Chris Feuell is immediately stepping down from her position as the brand’s CEO. She leaves a company that has largely become a minivan brand, which has seen several failed revival attempts in recent years. Leadership of Chrysler, as well as Alfa Romeo, another brand Feuell was responsible for, is now being taken over by Dodge CEO Matt McAlear.
Stellantis confirmed on Thursday that Feuell resigned for personal reasons. Dodge CEO Matt McAlear immediately assumes the duties of Chrysler CEO and also takes on responsibility for overseeing Alfa Romeo’s operations in North America.
State of the Brand in 2021
Feuell joined Stellantis in 2021 to lead Chrysler at a difficult time for the brand. The Chrysler 200 had already ceased production, the outdated 300 sedan was nearing the end of its life cycle, and the brand’s future lineup consisted almost entirely of the Pacifica minivan. Little changed in the following years.
Under Feuell’s leadership, Chrysler eventually shrank to two models: the Pacifica and its budget variant, the Voyager. Production of the Chrysler 300 ended in 2023, leaving the brand entirely dependent on its minivan lineup.
Strategy and Its Results
On her part, this strategy allowed the brand to survive. Sales of the Pacifica and Voyager proved stable enough to provide Chrysler with modest annual stability, even as the minivan market continued to shrink.
However, the long-awaited revival of Chrysler never materialized. The Airflow concept, which was supposed to inspire a production crossover, never moved beyond auto shows. The Halcyon concept, which everyone seemed to like, also did not receive a follow-up.
Other Appointments and Sales Figures
Notably, Stellantis tasked Feuell with leading the Ram brand in mid-2024, and later that same year, Alfa Romeo as well. Neither of these appointments lasted long enough to lead to serious structural changes, and Alfa Romeo sales continued to plummet during this period. In fact, Alfa Romeo sales in North America fell by 36% last year.
New Leader with Stellantis Experience
Her departure now hands Chrysler over to Matt McAlear, a Stellantis veteran with 13 years of experience, who has been leading Dodge since 2024. During his tenure leading the brand, he oversaw the launch of the new Charger muscle car. Previously, he worked in marketing and brand management roles at Dodge, Maserati, and Chrysler, including helping to organize the launch of the Pacifica in 2016.
Changes in Company Leadership
This change occurs against the backdrop of a broader reshuffling of leadership positions at Stellantis under CEO Antonio Filosa, who took over the company in the middle of last year. Since then, the company has appointed a new CFO and made changes to the leadership of regional and sales teams, attempting to stabilize its turbulent North American operations.
Future of the Brand
Chrysler may have celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, but the brand still sells only two minivans. The next confirmed step is to be an updated Pacifica, expected for the 2027 model year. Beyond that, Chrysler’s future remains largely theoretical.
This change in leadership indicates a complex period of transformation for one of America’s oldest automotive brands. While Dodge is getting new electric vehicles and Jeep is actively developing, Chrysler has found itself in the shadows, and its role within the large Stellantis family requires rethinking. The arrival of an experienced internal manager like McAlear may signal an attempt to find synergy between brands, but without clear investment in new products, any changes will be superficial. The stability provided by minivans is a solid foundation, but to survive into the next century, Chrysler needs a bold and concrete roadmap, which it has lacked in recent years.
