Jeep and Ram Get Fresh Leadership to Take on Detroit Rivals

Stellantis is shaking up its North American leadership with two new brand CEOs at the helm of Jeep and Ram, aiming to sharpen its edge against Ford and GM. Matt VanDyke steps in as Ram’s brand chief immediately, while Branden Coté takes over Jeep on August 3. Both report to Tim Kuniskis, who came out of retirement late last year to run Ram and now oversees all of Stellantis’ American brands, marketing, and retail strategy.

The moves come as the company pushes forward with its ambitious FaSTLAne 2030 product plan, a sweeping lineup overhaul that leans heavily on its two biggest moneymakers.

At Jeep, Coté replaces Bob Broderdorf, who is stepping away for medical leave after leading the brand since February 2025. Stellantis says Broderdorf will return to a new leadership role. 4-liter Hemi for the first time, and a Trailhawk Grand Cherokee is coming back. An extended-range Grand Wagoneer Summit EV with 650 horsepower is on the way, and the all-electric Jeep Recon will also offer a gas engine.

A high-performance Wrangler Scrambler SRT pickup, dubbed the “ultimate off-road machine” by design chief Ralph Gilles, is expected to turn heads.

Over at Ram, VanDyke is tasked with launching the Ramcharger, a full-size SUV that goes head-to-head with the Chevy Yukon and Ford Expedition. Ram dropped its all-electric pickup, but the extended-range Ram 1500 REV will fill that slot. Two long-awaited models round out the lineup: the midsize Dakota, built on the Gladiator platform with a wider cab, and the compact Rampage, already a hit in South America.

VanDyke comes from Shift Digital and previously ran FordDirect, while Coté’s resume includes stints at AutoNation, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz. ” With Chrysler and Dodge also getting new models, all four North American brands need to pull their weight, and these two new leaders are under pressure to deliver.