The unofficial spokesman for the American muscle car, Tim Kuniskis, is retiring

DETROIT (AP) — Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram and Dodge manufacturers and the unofficial voice of American muscle vehicles, is retiring after almost 32 years with Stellantis.

The announcement Friday comes as Stellantis struggles with U.S. gross sales because it begins the transition from inside combustion to electrical autos. By means of April, its gross sales had been down 14.1% whereas the business as an entire noticed a 3.1% enhance, in keeping with Motorintelligence.com.

For years Kuniskis was the spokesman for high-performance American vehicles, introducing many highly effective fashions together with final yr’s 1,025 horsepower Challenger SRT Demon 170.

However in March Kuniskis led the disclosing of two battery-powered variations of the Charger muscle automobile, whereas holding one gas-powered model of the Charger and not using a massive Hemi V8.

Not too long ago Kuniskis was CEO of each the Dodge and Ram manufacturers. He’ll get replaced at Ram by Chris Feuell, who will tackle Dodge along with her duties main the Chrysler model.

Matt McAlear will change into Dodge model CEO. He led Dodge gross sales and has broad automotive expertise, the corporate mentioned in a press release.

Each manufacturers are fighting Dodge phasing out the outdated variations of the fuel powered Charger and Challenger because it strikes to electrical autos. Dodge gross sales by April are down greater than 17%. The model is also promoting the Hornet small SUV made in Italy, but it surely hasn’t caught on.

Ram gross sales are down over 29% thus far this yr as a Michigan manufacturing facility is retooled to construct an up to date full-size pickup.

At a March occasion in Detroit exhibiting off the brand new electrical Chargers, Kuniskis additionally exhibited a gas-fueled Charger powered by a brand new 3-liter six-cylinder engine with two turbochargers. A high-output model may have 550 horsepower.

Kuniskis defended holding the gasoline model and mentioned the electrical muscle vehicles, which can roar like gas-engine autos, will emphasize efficiency over effectivity.

Underneath regular circumstance, he mentioned, about 17 million autos are offered yearly within the U.S. “You realize what? Folks want decisions,” he mentioned.

Kuniskis mentioned he would anticipate criticism from environmental teams if Dodge had not come out with electrical variations of the Charger.

“It’s designed for efficiency and it has low vary, but it surely’s nonetheless a battery electrical car. They’re going to hate on that? Appears sort of odd.”

Globally, Stellantis’ first quarter international car shipments fell 10% from a yr in the past to 1.34 million, and income dropped 12% to 41.7 billion euros ($44.8 billion).

The corporate blamed the income dip on decrease gross sales because it manages manufacturing and stock whereas launching 25 new fashions this yr, together with 18 electrical autos. Chief Monetary Officer Natalie Knight mentioned Stellantis believes the brand new fashions will deliver “materially improved progress and profitability within the second half.”